Police in San Jose shut down a local gun shop this week in response to the mayor’s declaration that “gun stores are non-essential” businesses under the shelter-in-place directive and must be closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are having panic buying right now for food. The one thing we cannot have is panic buying of guns,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said Wednesday.
City Police Chief Eddie Garcia said that Evan Bishop, the owner of Bullseye Bishop on Meridian Ave., was “cooperative” when officers showed up to close his business down.
An alert on the store’s website now reads, “Due to the shelter in place order we will be closed to the public for 2 weeks. Customers that has a pick up date will be contacted by staff to arrange pickups. Do not call us. We will call you. We thank you for your cooperation.”
Several of the customers were peeved by the mayor’s order. Joshua Wolfe, 37, told the Mercury News that the store had the right to remain open.
“Essential? It’s our right to arm ourselves,” Wolfe explained. “Toilet paper is essential, right? People are going nuts for that, right?”
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Everyone is “on edge,” he continued, “because people don’t know the truth of this whole situation. If they’re short on supplies, they’ll come after people who are prepared.”
Likewise, 31-year-old J.V. Sumabat voiced his displeasure with the closing and expressed worries about what’s to come.
“I’ve seen people fighting over toilet paper. I’m worried what they will do out of desperation,” he said. “When people start looting stores and they don’t have access to food, they could come into the homes of those they feel are vulnerable. I’d rather be prepared.”
Part of the reason why the store had to stay open, per the owner, was under California law it is limited as to how long it can hold onto a gun after an individual purchases it. Buyers must be able to pick them up after the state-mandated 10-day waiting period.
“We told them to go to DOJ and seek a waiver,” Garcia told the Mercury News. “There was no malicious intent. A lot of this stuff is going to happen.”
As GunsAmerica has reported, there’s been a huge upsurge in firearm and ammo purchases amid the crisis. And it makes perfect sense. No one knows what the future holds. Of course, that was true even before we found ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic.
But things are now even more precarious as the market continues to nose dive, unemployment skyrockets (may hit upwards of 20 percent and we may lose 2 million jobs over the next few months), and law enforcement scales back on making arrests as departmental resources are stretched thin across the board.
If you don’t own a firearm and if you still rely on the Nanny State for your personal safety, well, you may be in for a rude awakening.
UPDATE: Statement from ownership on Facebook —
Apparently protecting your family is not an essential business according to Mayor of San Jose. I was forced to close to the Public yesterday around closing time. The police officers were respectful as they said they are just the messanger. Following orders they don’t believe in. Banks post office are not a right but the right to bare arms is. My staff, my attorney and I are working to figure out a solution for you guys. We have been overwhelm with calls today. One lady begged me to sell her a gun because she is a single mother of 2 childern. And she fears the worst as we go throw these uncertain times. I felt so bad telling her i couldnt help her at this time. But the Cannabis clubs are open, they want you to stay dumb and numb. So you wont ask to many questions. They don’t want you to panic buy guns for some reason Even though there is a state mandated 10 day waitting period to pick up a firearm. So if covid 19 doesnt kill you, your neighbors might when they run out of food for there kids. Marshall Law is coming next. So if you don’t think this is right then call the Mayors office tomorrow morning and lets get this turned around. For those who bought guns in the last couple of weeks we will be calling you tomorrow. Guns and ammo home delivery what do you guys think? We might start selling toilet paper and water witch happends to come with ammo. One square of the 556 please. Thanks for all the support and stay safe out there. I will not give up on my companies mission to “Protect your family and Protect your rights. Have a good night.
You rejected my comment. Why ???? You said I have already said that in another comment. I have never sent you any other comment. You SUCK.
I have been a gun owner since my first 22 Remington. I was 13 years old I’m 80 yrs. old now. I have many guns pistols, rifles, shotguns I have had a concealed permit for as far back as I can remember. I usually only carry my weapon at night or going to the bank. Last month I purchased a centennial 45 LC rifle. dedicated to Carson City, Nevada.. It is beautiful. I never buy a weapon for its fancy design. I only buy a gun for its performance. I bought this gun with the full intent to pass it on to my SON. Something to remember me by. Not just my estate as in my will. Now with these new laws attacking gun owners like myself, I am considering selling all the beloved guns that have given me so much pleasure in my life. My fear is having to protect myself or another person and being sent to jail or worst. The laws are now protecting criminals. I think I have said enough . George T. DeCambra P/S This so-called Government has betrayed the people of our country . P/S/S I still have that 22 Remington.
We need to start holding these lying, corrupt politicians to account for their deceit. This sorry excuse for a leader says out of one side of his mouth that gun stores are “non-essential” businesses, yet out of the other side of his mouth says, “The one thing we can’t have is panic buying of guns.”
Bullseye…caught in an egregious lie, RIGHT THERE! That calls for a immediate vote of no confidence and a recall petition needs to be circulated immediately. He admitted to using a BS reason to hide the true nature of his decision. Socialist garbage like this needs to be thrown out of office for their LIES! Has lying and dishonesty become the new norm, so much that politicians admitting to lying to their constituents is just accepted?
It must be for scum like this to brazenly admit to his lies without the slightest fear of consequences…
Even 20-30 years ago, this never would have been seen as acceptable…America, how far have you fallen already?
The Communists will use this pandemic to full advantage to deny us our rights. So far its the Communists mayors and governors going full Stalin. But as conditions worsen and armed assaults and burglary increase as food and essentials get scarce the RINOS will follow.
Expect the inner city dregs to begin raiding the wealthy white suburbs for anything they can steal as police numbers are thinned as more are infected with the Chinese Virus.
If there was a Communist in the White House now there would be an executive order banning all gun sales nationwide. As Obamas advisor said- Never let a crises go to waste.
I would expect that Communist Chinese and other enemy agents in America will begin guerrilla activity to further disrupt society by sabotage. Its clear to a blind man that the Chicoms are trying to disrupt the economy and harm the wealth of the nation. In short they want us dead.
Just curious, but was this the only gun shop closed in San Jose? If not then this business will own the city in court……only problem is that the good folks of San Jose will have to wait out the nonsense.
Yes I cant wait.
Some really great comments that I wish there was a place I could mark them up with!
95% of Police Officers nationwide and probably 99% nationwide if you exclude Calif. believe in the 2nd Amendment and have no problem at all with the legal possession of a firearm by the general public. As a former LEO myself I urged and still urge law-a-biding citizens to obtain a Concealed Carry Permit and practice, practice, practice with their firearm learning how to shoot and carry and store firearms safely. We DO NOT agree with this idea of not being able to own or possess firearms as most of us have firearms other than duty issued firearms as well as having most of our relatives and friends having firearms.
Interesting question.
Were pot shops and liquor stores also closed due to being non essential ??
Security companies and personal bodyguards disarmed ??
Any answers???
The cannabis clubs are still open.
Wakeup call to the sleeping sheeple: the time to get prepared is BEFORE the next emergency
What worries me more than the spread of COVID19 is the spread of anti-gun decease among politicians who are so emboldened and drunk with the perceived power of their authority. It would be nice if their free and professional armed security is also cancelled. We the common people must not let the drunk and misguided mayors and governors from shutting down our rights, infringing on our 1st and 2nd amendment rights.
This is the time, more than ever, to be vigilant and protect ourselves, friends and our families from all evil.
Thank you!
I like how you threw in that ‘perceived’ power. That was an outstanding adjective to put in there. Great Job!
Sound the Charge
Always a stupid democrat. These anti-constitutional politicians and bureaucrats are helpless to manage the crisis, only to add to it.
Creating panic is exactly what is happening and now they are removing self-defense from citizens who are forced into this debacle?
When this fake pandemic passes, I hope the American people wake up to the fact that government has no intention of serving the nation, only restricting it. Bottom line, authorities don’t serve you in a crisis. You comply with them.
It looks as if some plan to use the pandemic as way to creat a larger hole in the fabric of the nation. My next guesstimate is they will try to confiscate when enough people are weakened.
Too bad. If you don’t already have a gun, then shame on you.
Nazi officers tried to use the excuse of an order they don’t believe in.
The Government is over reacting to this virus and excusing themselves with the argument “better safe than sorry”. I worked 30 years in medical epidemiology and contend “You can’t have an epidemic or pandemic if you don’t test.” Right now the Government cannot define the problem without testing so how can they identify the solutions. Closing gunshops is not a solution. It is akin to painting your house in the dark. In the future do you want to live in the mess you are making?
Good luck. I live in Washington State. They follow CA. Waiting on the knucklehead politicians to pull the same stuff. Live in SE corner where Sheriffs refuse to enforce the stupid laws from westside. Keep us posted. Stay cool and keep protecting our 2nd Amendment. Thanks for what you are doing.