Governor Orders Non-Essential Businesses Closed; Can't Shutter Gun Stores

The Dark Strip, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

For the first time in history, Nevada has ordered all casinos to close. In addition, Governor Sisolak has ordered non-essential businesses to close, including most retail outlets. As of this writing, the actual order is not available, but here is a part of his statement on the shutdown of the Silver State.

Only essential services should remain open — such as fire, police, transit, and health care services, in addition to businesses that provide food, shelter, or social services for disadvantaged populations.
Non-essential services such as beauty shops, barbershops, and nail, tanning, and waxing salons should close until further notice.
Only essential businesses should remain open such as pharmacies, grocery stores, drug and convenience stores, banks and financial institutions, hardware stores, and gas stations. I am asking grocery stores consider special hours for the vulnerable populations.

While many would not consider gun stores to be an "essential business" many others would. In addition, Nevada law prohibits the governor and local authorities from shuttering gun stores.

 NRS 414.155  Limitations on emergency powers relating to firearms.  Pursuant to Amendment II of the Constitution of the United States and Section 11 of Article 1 of the Constitution of the State of Nevada, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the emergency powers conferred upon the Governor and upon the executive heads or governing bodies of the political subdivisions of this State must not be construed to allow:
      1.  The confiscation of a firearm from a person unless the person is:
      (a) In unlawful possession of the firearm; or
      (b) Unlawfully carrying the firearm; or
      2.  The imposition of additional restrictions as to the lawful possession, transfer, sale, carrying, storage, display or use of:
      (a) Firearms;
      (b) Ammunition; or
      (c) Components of firearms or ammunition.

Your local gun store will decide for itself if and when it will be open. Many stores are processing a huge backlog of background checks. Big box stores like Cabelas, Bass Pro, Sheels, and Sportsmans Warehouse will almost certainly close. Contact your local store for their operational status and any social distancing procedures. 

It is vital that gun stores remain open, as well as the state Point of Contact, to continue the background checks for the thousands of guns sold over the past few days.