FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York Firearms Company Files Lawsuit against Gov. Cuomo over Shutdown
DSI filed a Federal Civil Rights Complaint today in US District Court seeking an emergency injunction against New York State to end the States forced closure of firearms retailers.
Oakdale, N.Y. (March 30, 2020) – Dark Storm Industries LLC (DSI), a New York based firearms manufacturer and retailer, filed a Federal Civil Rights Complaint today in US District Court seeking a temporary restraining order and an emergency injunction against New York State to end the States forced closure of firearms retailers. The closure stems from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Orders 202.6 and 202.8 requiring non-essential business to reduce their employee workforce by 100%. Empire State Development, the New York State entity responsible for issuing determinations under EO202.6, has deemed that most firearms related businesses as non-essential. The exception being those who conduct business with law enforcement and the military, and they have been strictly prohibited by ESD from conducting business with the general public.
“The declaration by New York State that firearms businesses are non-essential to the general public strikes a massive blow to the civil rights of New Yorkers. The right to defend one’s home and family, especially in times of public crisis is at the heart of the 2nd Amendment.” remarked Edward Newman, Co-Owner of DSI. “The actions of New York State, which amount to effectively, a complete prohibition on the purchase of guns and ammo by the general public are beyond chilling to our Constitutional rights, they are a venerable ice age and cannot be tolerated.”
DSI and other firearms retailers across New York and the whole Country have seen a significant increase in sales over the past few weeks. “The people have spoken through by choice of purchases over the past few weeks, what is essential to them… hand sanitizer, toilet paper, guns and ammo” said Ed Newman
The situation in New York is further complicated by firearm sales restrictions passed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2013 known as the “SAFE Act” which requires person to person sales to be conducted through licensed gun dealers except in the case of a transfer between an immediate family member. “New York’s draconian gun laws make it a criminal act to borrow a rifle or shotgun from your neighbor.” added Ed Newman.
DSI is joined by two customer co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit, one of whom desires to purchase a firearm and ammunition for home defense but cannot due to the closure. The second, purchased a firearm from DSI the week before the closure but a delay in the background check resulted in him not being cleared to pick it up until after the closure restriction was put into place.
DSI is deeply concerned about the safety and health of our employees and customers and has developed a plan, following CDC and Public Health best practices to minimize the risk of exposure for all parties while conducting business. The plan will continue to evolve as medical guidelines and operational needs change.
A copy of the complaint can be viewed here:
www.dark-storm.com/DSI-NYS-Lawsuit.pdf
About Dark Storm Industries, LLC:
Dark Storm Industries is a New York based firearms manufacturer specializing in modern sporting rifles. Founded in 2013, Dark Storm Industries developed the DS-15 line of rifles to meet the changing regulatory environment in states like New York and California. Dark Storm also owns and operates a retail store as well as an indoor shooting range and training center in Long Island New York.
