Gun owners and sellers in the path of Hurricane Hermine are being warned to protect their weapons.
An industry group and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are urging those from Florida to New Jersey, the current path of the coastal storm, to prepare now before the storm and flooding hit.
“With Hurricane Hermine quickly approaching the Southeast United States, we would like to remind you to take necessary action to safeguard your family, your business and of course, your firearms,” said the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
“The recent flooding situation in Louisiana has reminded us that a severe weather crisis is often unexpected and can change direction and severity without much notice,” the industry group added.
They also distributed an ATF recommendation to gun dealers to prepare for the worst.
“Having a plan can prevent unnecessary loss of life and ensure that a business can recover. A thorough plan, based on a worst-case scenario, can also serve to address non-catastrophic, minor disruptions to business,” said the ATF disaster brochure seen here.
It added:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recommends that all FFLs prepare a Disaster Preparedness Plan. FFLs have a two-fold interest in having a plan in place: the need to safeguard their business to facilitate a quick recovery and the need to protect the public from the risk of theft/loss of firearms and ammunition. Having a Disaster Preparedness Plan is the best way for FFLs to anticipate, prepare for, mitigate the effect of, and recover from a business disruption. Events such as hurricanes Katrina and Rita have proved that businesses can be struck by real threats to both business and to life.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
