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Deja vu: LA County sheriff closes gun shops again

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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
CORRECTS TO CULVER CITY, INSTEAD OF LOS ANGELES An employees stands at the entrance to a guns shop Tuesday, March 24, 2020, in Culver City, Calif. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he would like to see gun shops shut down. "We will be closing them, they are not an essential function," Villanueva said. Adding guns to households where more people are at home during a crisis increases the risk that someone will be shot, he said. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
CORRECTION Virus Outbreak California
Posted at 4:13 PM, Mar 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-26 19:13:49-04

For the second time this week, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has ordered gun shops to close. His move Thursday challenges the county legal counsel's finding after the first closure that the stores are essential businesses that should remain open during the coronavirus crisis.

Villanueva says the shops must stop selling to the general public but can continue to sell ammunition to security guard companies.

County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said the county counsel and sheriff may need to have a judge sort out who is right.

Gun groups are exploring legal challenges to the sheriff's decision.

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