Just last week, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell took drastic gun-control measures as she signed an emergency order, which would allow the local government to ban the sale and transportation of guns.

According to the emergency order, the government must “suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives, and combustibles.” As of the moment, Cantrell did not seem to provide any valid reason as to why she decided to ban both firearms and alcoholic beverages.

As a response to such prohibition, the Second Amendment Foundation immediately responded to the mayor’s proclamation. In an official statement by SAF executive vice president Alan Gottliebreminding, he reminded Cantrell that they had previously sued the New Orleans mayor for using their emergency powers. In fact, SAF made then-Mayor Ray Nagin accountable for confiscating firearms after Hurricane Katrina, as he failed to provide any valid reason to do so.

While the Foundation recognized the overarching impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused, it stated that they still hold firm to their obligation to protect American rights: “We sued New Orleans then, and we’ll do it again. The presence of a nasty disease does not suspend any part of the Bill of Rights, no matter what some municipal, state, or even federal politician may think.”

The organization continued that it does not see any reason as to why people with firearms would impose a threat of spreading the deadly virus. Gottlieb continued that those who are licensed to carry a gun should still be able to do so, and not just because lawmakers were in a state of “panic.” Finally, the executive concluded that “We didn’t allow it before, and we’re not going to allow it now.”

On Saturday, Champaign, Illinois, Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen had also used her emergency power to stop the sale and distribution of firearms and ammunition. According to the city’s communication manager, Jeff Hamilton, the order was meant to allow the local government to “be flexible” as well, believing that it could help them to “respond properly” during the crisis. Hamilton added that by taking away the public’s right to the second amendment, it would be able to “to protect the welfare and safety of our community.”

Cantrell had also made headlines when she expressed her deep “disappointment” to her citizens as they continued to go on social gatherings, despite the ban which had been issued by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards.

In fact, the rest of the city went on to celebrate St. Patrick’s day, dressed up in kilts and green shamrock. Despite the cancellation of their famous parade, police officers were still able to catch people partying at a bar, even as the city announced their first COVID-19 related case. Louisiana officials reported another second death on Sunday, citing that both patients had an underlying illness.