On March 12, 2020 Governor John Carney issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency for the State of Delaware Due to a Public Health Threat. There have been five updates since then. The business shutdown dictated by Modification 4, is what most concerns the law abiding gun owners here in Delaware. The order declares gun shops as non-essential businesses and therefore they must shut down. DSSA believes that is unconstitutional. By ordering gun shops to shut down the Governor is depriving the citizens of Delaware that wish to purchase a firearm, for whatever reason, be it hunting, sport, or more importantly protection, the right to keep and bear arms under our Constitution.
As of Tuesday, March 24th, the first gun shop was shut down by virtue of a cease and desist order issued by DEMA and delivered by the Delaware State Police. Starquest Shooting and Survival Supply in Talleyville, was served around 9:00 p.m. In spite of what the guidelines from the Attorney General’s Office said about giving a verbal warning first, the owner, without warning, was simply ordered to shut down under threat of arrest and imprisonment.
As a result of this unconstitutional action by the State of Delaware DSSA has begun the process of taking several actions, which may include legal action, in an attempt to quickly reverse this order and keep any more orders from being served.
While DSSA understands the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus threat, we do not believe that any action by the State of Delaware warrants the violation of our Constitutional Rights under the State Constitution of Federal Constitution.