Los Angeles County is reopening gun shops to the public after a federal memo listed them as “essential” businesses.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva closed shops last week, but reversed course on Monday, following the guidance. The LA county closures had prompted a lawsuit from gun rights groups. The change comes amid a national dispute over whether gun access is critical amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The federal guidance issued on 28 March classified munitions makers and sellers as “essential critical infrastructure workers”. Mr Villanueva said that though the memo was non-binding, it has national scope and he would therefore open shops closed last week.(BBC)…[+]