Governor McMaster issued another Executive Order today. This latest executive order is entitled the “Stay at Home or Work” order. After reading through the order, shooting ranges, and firearms and ammo dealers are still considered essential, and as such, we plan to remain open our regular hours to continue to allow you to train with your firearms and exercise the natural rights reaffirmed by the 2nd Amendment.
We began limiting the occupancy of the retail and check-in area to 4 customers last week as well as cut our pistol range capacity in half, and we will be continuing those limitations. We will be evaluating the capacity of the rifle bay and that may be reduced as well.
You can read the entire executive order at this link. Here are some relevant excerpts as they apply to us. [Emphasis is ours.]
Section 1. Home or Work Order
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B. I hereby order and direct that effective Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at 5:00 p.m., any and all residents and visitors of the State of South Carolina are required to limit social interaction, practice “social distancing” in accordance with CDC guidance, and take every possible precaution to avoid potential exposure to, and to slow the spread of, COVID-19, and shall limit their movements outside of their home, place of residence, or current place of abode (collectively, “Residence”), except as allowed by this Order, for purposes of engaging in Essential Business, Essential Activities, or Critical Infrastructure Operations, as set forth below and as such terms are further defined herein.
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E. For purposes of this Order, Essential Activities shall mean and include as follows:
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2. Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members, such as food and supplies for household consumption and use, medical supplies or medication, supplies and equipment needed to work from home, and products needed to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential maintenance of the home or residence. Preference should be given to online ordering, home delivery, and curbside pick-up and delivery options and services wherever possible as opposed to in-store shopping.
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3. Engaging in activities essential for the health and safety of family or household members, such as seeking medical, behavioral health, or emergency services.
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F. For purposes of this Order, Critical Infrastructure Operations shall mean and include as follows:
1. Individuals operating commercial vehicles transporting essential goods and products, such as food, water, medicine, medical supplies and equipment, fuels and petroleum products (to include fuel oil, diesel oil, gasoline, kerosene, propane, and liquid petroleum), livestock, poultry, feed for livestock and poultry, and crops and other agricultural products ready to be harvested (to include timber and wood chips); individuals employed by airlines; and individuals otherwise engaged in commercial transportation activities.
2. Individuals performing or assisting with military, healthcare, public safety, or emergency response operations, as well as any other operations or services identified by the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in its March 28, 2020 Memorandum, or any future amendments or supplements thereto, as essential to continued critical infrastructure viability. [Firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges are listed as essential critical infrastructure in the March 28th memo, which can be viewed here.]
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I. … 1. Emergency Maximum Occupancy Rate. The business shall limit the number of customers allowed to enter and simultaneously occupy the premises so as not to exceed five (5) customers per 1,000 square feet of retail space, or twenty percent (20%) of the occupancy limit as determined by the fire marshal, whichever is less.
J. This Section shall not be interpreted, applied, implemented, or construed in a manner so as to suspend, restrict, or otherwise limit the sale or transportation of firearms or ammunition or any component thereof.
