Why are gun stores essential?

Gov. Kim Reynolds' leadership during these difficult times is impressive. But I find myself puzzled over her decision to treat gun store as an essential service and allowing them to remain open.

The current pandemic has brought about a massive increase in gun purchases. Stress and isolation have always resulted in tensions and an increase in domestic violence. Guns constitute a deadly addition to such situations.

Initial data from France point to a 36 percent rise in domestic violence since the beginning of the mandatory isolation. There is, sadly, no reason to assume that similar problems are not going to emerge here. In fact, the Seattle Police Department saw a 21 percent increase in domestic violence reports last month. The availability of guns in such situations poses a very serious threat of the increase in the number and rates of homicides. This is why gun sales have to stop for the duration of this epidemic.

Jozef Figa

Cedar Rapids