Stay home, stay safe: That is the message we are all getting. But for some people their home is not a safe place. Gun violence prevention organizations, along with domestic abuse intervention programs, the medical community, and mental health organizations are concerned that along with the surge of the virus we have a surge of panic-induced gun-buying. This is made possible because the federal government has determined that gun stores are essential businesses.

As a result, the purchases of guns and the FBI’s background check system have increased exponentially.

Now, because of the fear of contracting the virus while shopping for a gun, the ATF has approved drive-through gun sales — as if getting a gun is like getting a meal from a fast-food restaurant. Guns are deadly weapons, not hamburgers or chicken sandwiches.

More guns do not make us safer. Guns don’t wear out or usually need replacement. Guns purchased during the pandemic will remain in homes for years to come. We can expect a surge in gun suicides and domestic homicides because of the stress of staying at home with an abusive partner, financial concerns, fear for health and wellbeing, plus general emotional upheaval. All of this makes for potentially dangerous and deadly situations. Suicide and domestic abuse hotlines have seen surges of calls.

A recent incident in New Brighton, Minnesota, is one example. Police responded to an armed man at a home who opened fire on the officers as they removed an assault victim. Luckily no one was hurt, but neighbors were asked to shelter in their basements, frightened of what might happen next. Gun violence has a ripple effect (“10-hour standoff: As woman escaped boyfriend in New Brighton, he shot at officers,” April 16).

In Minnesota, suicide accounts for 80% of gun deaths. Many first-time gun buyers may not know how to use them properly or safely store them locked and unloaded. This can lead to an increase in avoidable gun deaths. Even gun dealers are concerned about this.

Our children are at home now. They are curious and know where to find guns. Every day, 21 children under 17 are shot in the U.S. and four of them die from their gunshot injuries.

Protect Minnesota has sent a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, urging him to speak about these risks. A 2015 law that passed under the radar in the Minnesota Legislature made it illegal to close gun stores during a national emergency. Given that reality, we must all be talking about the fact that guns purchased in a panic for self-defense or out of fear are more likely to be used to kill someone in the home than to be used for self-defense.

Check out the websites and Facebook pages of gun violence prevention organizations, mental health organizations, suicide hotlines, domestic abuse intervention organizations, and medical organizations for the facts and information if you need help. The organization End Family Fire (endfamilyfire.org) is one in particular that highlights the risks of guns in homes.

The Minnesota House passed the expanded background check and red-flag bills (for extreme risk protection orders) as standalone bills in February. The Senate has so far refused to hear these bills. They are life-saving bills and more important than ever right now.

As we work to get through this pandemic, we need to make sure we do no harm by following the guidelines for social distancing and staying at home. We also need to think hard about bringing a new risk into the home that could be more deadly than the coronavirus.

Joan Peterson and Mary Streufert are co-presidents of the Northland Chapter of the Northland Chapter of Brady (United Against Gun Violence). Both the Duluth women have lost family members to gun violence.