The unsettling images of long lineups of panicked buyers at gun stores across the U.S. are iconic.

They tell a disturbing story about the popularity of guns in America and about the belief held by many Americans that the best way to protect themselves and their families in times of trouble like the current COVID-19 crisis is to arm themselves to the teeth.

Americans are leaving their homes and lining up at grocery stores in the desperate hope of buying not only food, but scarce toilet paper, given that so many others have panicked and horded enough rolls of toilet paper to last them until 2022.

However, in many U.S. communities you can also head out to you nearest gun store to pick up a new pistol, assault rifle or stock up on bullets. That’s because gun shops in those spots have been declared “essential services.” Also, the U.S. federal government has also issued a guidance deeming the firearms business “critical infrastructure,” which let it stay open.

Crazy? You bet!

Do gun lovers need more bullets to protect their secret stashes of toilet paper?

And before Canadians become too smug about how we are somehow “different” than Americans when it comes to guns, the same lineups for bullets occurred here from Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island before retail stores were ordered closed to walk-in customers.

Leading the charge to keep U.S. gun stores open is the notorious and powerful National Rifle Association. Even in these anxiety-ridden times, the NRA keeps driving ahead with its lethal agenda of more, not fewer, gun rights, launching lawsuits across the country aimed at overturning government moves to close gun shops.

Last week, the NRA sued New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for declaring gun shops non-essential, forcing them to close their doors.

“There isn’t a single person who has ever used a gun for self-defence who would consider it non-essential,” said Wayne LaPierre, head of the NRA. “This is clearly another assault by Gov. Cuomo on the NRA, on the rights of New Yorkers to defend themselves and their families, and on our Second Amendment freedoms.”

It launched a similar lawsuit in late March in California and now gun shops are open in many cities in that state.

Guns and panic and the virus are a potentially lethal mix. And yet there’s no evidence of widespread looting or increases in violent crime. So why on earth are gun lovers loading up on bullets and more guns — and why is the NRA clearing the legal path for them to go on buying sprees?

In March, the FBI conducted 3.7 million background checks for Americans wanting to buy guns. That’s the highest number recorded since such background checks were launched 22 years ago. In addition, more than 2 million guns were purchased last month, many by first-time buyers alone

Sales are spurred by a fear of the breakdown of civil society. But the truth is that by arming themselves, buyers only heighten the overall level of anxiety and lower the level of “safety” that everyone deserves.

In Canada, the COVID-19 virus has set off some panic-buying, with shoppers worried about running short of ammo and other gun supplies, most of which come from the U.S. Even today, gun stores here are still selling their products, although you must order in advance and pick up your ammo or gun supplies at the door or by delivery.

Pro-gun lobby groups, such as the Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights, the Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association and the National Firearms Association, talk about protecting “firearm rights” and work hard to oppose any move to restrict gun sales. Thankfully, in fact there’s no such thing as “firearm rights” in Canada.

And on social media Canadian gun enthusiasts are rejoicing these days in the COVID-19 crisis diverting Ottawa’s attentions away from its much-welcomed plan to restrict sales of military-style assault rifles.

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Instead of riling up their members, Canadian gun lobbies should be telling their followers to calm down, hunker down and put aside for now their fight with Ottawa over gun controls.

Surely that’s not too much to ask in these unprecedented and stressful times.