We are STILL deemed non-essential and where do we go from here?

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We have heard from many of you that gun shops have been deemed essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks for reaching out on this, we appreciate the support!

The issue is that the DHS states in their document that individual states are free to use their list as guidance. Massachusetts has stripped the part about guns shops out of the list. We’re working with State Reps to get this issue addressed but we don’t have any news on how long that could take, if it even happens. I just checked the MA list and firearm stores on still not on it. I feel this is an even more clear indication that gun shops are classified as non-essential as Massachusetts is clearly omitting it at this point, from the federal list they based their closures on.

Now what?

At Tombstone Trading Company, we researched available options and came up with a plan on how to address this issue. We have outlined the process we are going to take on our website on our COVID-19 Sales page. If you are looking to find a reputable place to purchase a firearm during this pandemic, please consider reading that page and decide if it is the right choice for you. Tombstone Trading Company has always worked hard for our customers and hope to be able to help you, even though the ways we have to do it are unorthodox at the least.

We are offering an online meeting tonight where you can ask questions about available guns we have and even pre-order something so once we are able to open, you’ll get a priority appointment to come in and get it. You can sign up for that meeting on the COVID-19 Sales page on our website, which is linked above.

Thank you. You really are the best customers we could ask for!
–Jason

Gun Shops Deemed Non-Essential In Massachusetts During COVID-19 Pandemic

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We received word this morning, from a State Official that gun shops in Massachusetts are classified as “non-essential” and must close per Governor Baker’s order on shuttering businesses.

Your 2nd Amendment rights are being trampled with this shallow thinking. Protection of one’s life and liberty is indeed essential but apparenly not in the eyes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

We highly encourage you to contact Governor Baker’s office and express your opinion on this matter and let him know how you feel about your rights being stripped from you.

Governor Baker’s Constituent Services Main Office
(617) 725-4005

Update On Shop Hours

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We will be open on Saturday from 11:00 – 4:00 with limited amounts of people allowed in the shop at any one time.

Between 10:00am and 11:00am, we will be taking phone orders at (508) 867-6800. Placing an order over the phone and paying for it with your credit card will get you priority entry in to shop. Essentially, you’ll be able to “cut the line” to pick up your gun. This does not mean you’ll be able to just walk in when you arrive, but will mean that you are “next”.

New policies in place:

  • First and most important. If you are not feeling well or have been in contact with someone that has been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, please stay home. Please consider this, not only for your own safety, but also the safety and health of our staff and other people you may come into contact with. If someone shows up at the shop and we have a reasonable suspicion that they are sick, we may politely ask you to leave. Please don’t take it personally.
  • We have set up barricades out in front of the shop and ask that no one cross those barricades without being escorted by a staff member. Do not wait on the porch of the shop. This allows up to maintain proper social distancing from our door as people enter and exit.
  • We will not be allowing any more than 3 customers at a time in the shop. This allows us to maintain our safety protocols and social distancing requirements and still allow our skeleton staff to adequately service you.
  • We will not be doing any “ammo only” sales. We do have a limited amount of ammo and that ammo has been allowed to those that purchase a firearm.

Existing policies:

  • You must possess a valid Massachusetts LTC or FID card and be a resident of Massachusetts to enter the shop.
  • Nobody under the age of 18 will be allowed in at any time. There are no exceptions to this policy.
  • Only the purchaser of the firearm will be allowed in the shop, no friends, family or spouses.
  • As we did last week, we will be giving every customer their own pen. No one will re-use a pen that another customer used.
  • We ask that only serious buyers show up at the shop. It’s very hard to accommodate browsing at this time. We’re happy to discuss some options with you but ask if you are unsure of what you want, try to do some research online before coming in.

Moving forward:

Moving forward, our hours will be announced each day. It is still our goal to announce our hours by 10:00am the days we will open. There will be days we will close for re-stocking/ordering and cleaning the shop. You can check our website at tombstonetrading.com and our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Again, I speak for all of us when I thank you all for your patronage and understanding during this time. It is not the way we like doing business. We are a shop known for taking the time to work with customers and to have to rush people through the process is quite unsettling for us.

See you on Saturday!

A Message From Our President

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Not THAT President. It’s me, Dave Bourdeau, President of Tombstone Trading Company, Inc. As I relax at home for the first time in over a week, I think of things that I should have said but have not.

First, I need to thank Jason Turcotte, our fearless leader (aka, Manager). Thinking back to when I graduated from Providence College, I took on my first management position, running the family business. Within six months, we were suffering through the oil embargo of 1973 and heading into deep recession. I remember my father, my mentor, telling me “Anyone can manage a business during good times, but only a true manager can shine when things are difficult and challenging.” Let’s just say that Jason has been our “beacon”!

Next, I want to recognize my wife, Nancy. She has come out of retirement to perform any and every task asked of her. This is no surprise to me. Nan is the love of my life, my partner and my best friend. She has had my back though good times and bad for over 45 years and has been irreplaceable for any success I have ever had.

Lastly, to our many customers, both old and new. Thank you so much for the support and cooperation during these difficult times. The three of us have handled hundreds of people in the shop and many more on the phone over the last ten days. My regret is that we have not been able to maintain the level of customer service we have always strived for. In an effort to make our inventory available to people, and to keep everyone as safe as possible, we have enacted some rather Draconian protocols. These are not intended to offend, but to handle numbers customers as safely as possible.

Out of literally hundreds of people, I can only think of a small handful that have taken exception to this process. “Incredible” is the only way to describe the cooperation and response we have received from you, our valued customers. Thank you so much!

Looking forward:

On Monday, March 23rd, Jason and I will be reviewing our inventory and checking on restocking possibilities.

On Tuesday morning the 24th, by 10:00am, Jason will announce on our website and related social media platforms how we will move forward in an effort to serve you.

Regards,
David P. Bourdeau
President
Tombstone Trading Company, Inc.