According to Firearm Chronicles
Second Amendment activists in Massachusetts staged a rolling protest in several towns on Friday over the emergency order by Gov. Charlie Baker that refuses to recognize gun stores as essential businesses. The protest stopped at gun stores in Palmer, Belchertown, Holyoke, West Springfield, and Springfield as dozens of supporters sought to highlight the impact that the closures have had on the right to keep and bear arms. “How can you bear arms without buying [arms],” said Andrew Couture, an attorney specializing in gun rights. “There are many police forces across the state that have officers that are sick at home. People need to be able to defend themselves. They need to be able to defend their house, their property and their families, you know by closing this down and making [the] operation of a gun store is illegal is in complete violation of what the Second Amendment stands for.” He’s not wrong. Baker’s order is not only stopping people from purchasing a firearm for the first time, but is also curtailing the ability of existing gun owners to purchase ammunition. Richard Howell, who helped organize the protest, says it’s unfathomable that Baker would keep gun stores closed despite guidance from the federal Department of Homeland Security declaring that gun shops are a critical part of the nation’s workforce. “Why are these gun stores closed? You know, they’ve been deemed an essential service nationwide. The governor even agreed with initially, now he doesn’t agree with it. The attorney general never agreed with it,” said Howell. “There’s something going on there.” I don’t think there’s any shadowy conspiracy taking place between Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey. Both of them are acting in character with their anti-Second Amendment decisions. Not only has Baker ordered gun stores shut down, but Healey’s office has ordered all ranges to shut down as well, and is even prohibiting firearms instructors from offering online training.