Customers standing in line at a gun shop during the coronavirus pandemic | Mario Tama/Getty Images Murphy: New Jersey gun stores will be allowed to reopen

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that gun shops are now considered essential businesses and can remain open during the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor’s decision, announced during his daily briefing, is a reversal from his earlier position on gun retailers.


Murphy said gun retailers and a few other types of businesses will be added to the list of those considered essential and allowed to remain open under his March 21 executive order, which required all nonessential businesses to close until further notice. The change came after the federal Department of Homeland Security, in an advisory Saturday night, listed gun dealers to be “critical infrastructure.“

At least three gun rights organizations have filed lawsuits in recent days to force the state of New Jersey to allow gun stores to open. Several Republican lawmakers called on the governor to allow it as well.

“In accordance with the guidance released over the weekend by the federal Department of Homeland Security , we will allow firearms sellers to operate,” Murphy said during his briefing.

Gun sales will be done by appointment only, Murphy said, and “during limited hours.”

Murphy, who supports stricter gun control legislation, made it clear that he was reluctant to make the decision.

“It wouldn’t have been my definition, but that’s the definition at the federal level. I didn’t get a vote on that,” he said.

The Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs filed suit last week, arguing that “the importance of recognizing and protecting the fundamental right of law-abiding citizens to self-defense has never been higher.”

Scott Bach, the group’s executive director, said in a phone interview that while he’s pleased with Murphy’s decision, his group will not withdraw the lawsuit.

“It’s good that the governor has finally bowed to pressure from the federal government, but our case is going to continue,” Bach said. “We are seeking a permanent injunction preventing this from ever happening again in this or future administrations.”

The two other groups that filed lawsuits are The New Jersey Second Amendment Society and the Second Amendment Foundation.

State Sen. Michael Testa (R-Cumberland), who has called on Murphy to designate gun shops as essential businesses, said he was happy with the governor’s decision.

“I am pleased that Gov. Murphy is finally recognizing and honoring our constitutional right to bear arms, especially amid this State of Emergency,” Testa said in a statement. “The Second Amendment is essential to all law-abiding citizens, particularly for increased safety, security, and self-protection. New Jerseyans’ rights to purchase a firearm should have never been infringed upon in the first place.“

In addition to gun retailers, Murphy said car dealerships will be able to conduct sales online or remotely. Vehicles can be delivered directly to customers or via curbside pickup. Repair and service centers have been allowed to remain open.

Real estate agents can show houses to prospective buyers, but only on a one-to-one basis or to immediate family. Open houses are still banned. And breweries and brew pubs can now deliver to customers’ homes, Murphy said.