Firearm Industry Labeled “Life-Sustaining” Under New Kentucky Executive Order

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued Executive Order 2020-257. This order goes further than previous ones in defining life-sustaining businesses. It also orders that all non life-sustaining sustaining businesses end operations as of 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. The order is effective for the duration of the State of Emergency Executive Order 2020-215.
 
Firearm manufacturers are deemed essential in this order because they manufacture products that fulfill an important role in national security. Additionally, firearm industry manufacturers provide products to another category of defined life-sustaining businesses, the firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers. Firearm suppliers and retailers are deemed essential in this order “for purposes of safety and security.” The order does ask, and NSSF strongly encourages that all businesses, including firearm businesses, maintain social distance and follow hygiene guidance that has been set forth by the CDC.
 
NSSF^®  will continue to monitor developments in Kentucky that might impact the industry.