By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) – A group of gun dealers, private citizens, and Second Amendment rights groups are suing Governor Charlie Baker and state and local officials for what they say are Second Amendment Violations stemming from the state shut down.
The plaintiffs, which include the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Commonwealth Second Amendment, and the Second Amendment Foundation, allege second and fourteenth amendment violations stemming from the closure of all channels of firearms and ammunition sales to the public. Baker, Commissioner of the Department of Public Health Monica Bharel, Commissioner of of the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services Jamison Gagnon, and various police chiefs around the Commonwealth are named as defendants.
The complaint alleges the shut down has prohibition gun dealers from selling to citizens with valid LTC licenses, which has left people without means of self-protection. Plaintiffs William Biewenga and Laurie Warner, both LTC permit holders in the Commonwealth, were unable to obtain a gun to protect themselves during the pandemic.
”They are aware that break-ins are common in their community and they are concerned that they would be unable to protect themselves should the need arise,” the complaint alleges.
The complaint alleges that the order closing nonessential businesses issued by Baker on March 23 unconstitutionally infringes on the right to bear arms by forcing all gun dealers to cease operations during the pandemic, causing injury to the gun dealers, consumers, and Second Amendment Rights groups. To read the full complaint click here.