SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. – Shasta County Sheriff Eric Magrini announced Thursday that gun stores will qualify as an essential service within the county.

This comes after Governor Gavin Newsom gave each Sheriff the ability to determine this for their own county Wednesday.

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Sheriff Magrini said many of the stores sell other items necessary for a rural lifestyle.

"Many of these stores sell other items, such as non-gun personal defense tools, outdoor essentials, wild game meat preparation and processing supplies, and safety equipment," Magrini said.

He asks that these stores practice social distancing and follow all guidelines issued by the CDC and local public health department.

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