after numerous states such as California and new jersey began declaring gun shops as non essential and attempted shutting down the businesses, the NRA has since filed law suits, and even the department of homeland security 'days afterward' deemed the firearms industry essential. in a particularly notable action the texas attorney general paxton stated "municipal and county authorities may not use emergency powers to regulate or restrict the sale of firearms." and declared that gun stores can stay open even amid the coronavirus outbreak. before DHS had released its guidance on essential businesses. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-gun-shops-essential-service-trump-administration-says-same-as-businesses-grocery-stores-pharmacies/