NSSF Statement on New York Attorney General’s Intent to Dissolve the National Rifle Association
NSSF, the trade association for the firearm industry, is troubled by the politically-driven decision of New York Attorney General Letitia James to seek to dissolve the National Rifle Association, America’s oldest civil rights organization. The lawsuit filed today by Attorney General James seeks to punish the over five million members of the National Rifle Association based on mere allegations of possible wrongdoing by a few individuals.
NSSF is deeply concerned about the apparent political agenda to silence the strongest voice in support of the Second Amendment ahead of the election in November.
This lawsuit, and one filed today by the District of Columbia Attorney General, should concern all Americans who cherish both the First and Second Amendments to our Constitution regardless of their views on what laws and regulations are appropriate to address the criminal misuse of firearms.
Make Plans to Attend the 2021 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
With the dates for what would have been the 2020 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits (NRAAM) having come and gone with nary a shooter, hunter, outdoorsman, or Second Amendment supporter to be seen, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing cancellation, sights are now set on the 2021 show, slated to begin one year from today.
The NRA noted that they “did not reach this decision lightly” and “were ultimately guided by our responsibility to help ensure the safety and well-being of our NRA members, guests, and surrounding community.” Continue reading
Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to New York Gun Law
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a challenge to a New York City law restricting the rights of handgun owners to carry their weapons outside the home.
The 6-3 decision sends the case back to the lower courts — a move that pleases gun control advocates who were afraid that the conservative-majority court would rule against them.
The case centered on the New York City gun licenses that let handgun owners carry their locked and unloaded weapons only from their homes to several shooting ranges within city limits.
Attorneys for the city argued that the law was a matter of public safety and did not infringe on the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
A group of gun owners, backed by Trump administration lawyers, challenged the law, arguing that it was too restrictive.
But after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, New York amended the law to allow people to carry their guns to places outside the city, including second homes, gun clubs, target shooting ranges and where hunting is allowed.
The court decided not to hear the case Monday, saying the changes to the law makes the challenge moot, and sent it back to the lower court for any further challenges and arguments.
Three conservative justices — Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas — dissented.
“Petitioners got most, but not all, of the prospective relief they wanted,” Alito wrote, saying gun owners can still seek damages.
Gun control advocates are pleased the court decided not to rule on the case.
“Today’s decision rejects the NRA’s invitation to use a moot case to enact its extreme agenda aimed at gutting gun safety laws supported by a majority of Americans,” said Hannah Shearer, litigation director at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
But the National Rifle Association, the country’s premier gun rights group, said the court Monday accepted what the NRA calls New York City’s “surrender” and admission of wrongdoing. It calls on the city to reimburse the plaintiffs’ legal fees.
NRA, SAF, FPC, et al. File Lawsuit Against Anti-Gun New Mexico Governor
Suit is Among Many filed in Fight Against Gun Store Closures During COVID-19 Pandemic
The National Rifle Association (NRA) and other pro-Second Amendment organizations filed a lawsuit in New Mexico today challenging anti-gun Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s use of emergency powers and her COVID-19 statewide order to shut down firearm retailers and ranges.
“Politicians imperil our families by declaring our fundamental right of self defense ‘non-essential’ while they free criminals,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director, National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action. “As always, the NRA and its membership will continue to fight every hypocrite who enjoys armed security while denying American families their essential access to firearms.”
The NRA filed the suit in U.S. Distict Court with the Second Amendment Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Mountain States Legal Foundation, and the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association.
Grisham has exploited this crisis to continue her attack on the rights of law-abiding citizens. Other Democratic colleagues of hers, in states such as Colorado, have deemed gun stores and ranges “essential” and protected residents’ right to purchase and own guns.
A copy of the lawsuit can be found here.
NRA Urges Governors to Keep Public Lands Open
The National Rifle Association, along with other pro-hunting organizations, sent a letter to governors of all 50 states on Friday urging them to keep public lands open for hunting and fishing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now, perhaps more than ever, families need access to hunting and fishing grounds so they can put food on the table for their families,” said Jason Oumet, executive director, National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action. “There is no reason why people should be prohibited from spending time alone in America’s wide-open spaces. At its core, hunting is the original social distancing.”
The NRA teamed with the Dallas Safari Club, Hunter Nation and Safari Club International in the effort. The letter outlines the reasons why keeping public lands is crucial during this period while strongly supporting efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing.
In part, the letter reads:
“Closing these areas significantly limits the ability of our nation’s millions of sportsmen and women who take to our woods, waters, and wild lands every year to pursue their passion for the outdoors — an activity that is, at its core, America’s most traditional form of “social distancing.” Further, given the economic effects of COVID-19, it is more important than ever to allow hunters and anglers access to healthy and inexpensive sources of food to support their families.”
The letter was sent to governors of all 50 states Friday morning.
California Gun Rights Lawsuit: Part II
The National Rifle Association (NRA) joined other individuals, retailers, and gun rights groups in filing a federal lawsuit on Tuesday challenging local policies and enforcement practices that violate Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
“Local governments aren’t promoting safety or “common sense” by targeting gun stores for closure; the closures only serve to disarm law-abiding families while criminals roam free,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Jason Ouimet. “Because these closures violate our Second Amendment rights when we need them most, the National Rifle Association continues to fight such infringements in court alongside fellow Second Amendment groups.”
This is the second lawsuit the gun rights coalition has filed in California after a number of counties deemed firearm and ammuntion stores, as well as indoor and outdoor ranges, “nonessential.” The gun rights groups includes the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), the California Gun Rights Foundation (CGF), and the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC). A copy of the lawsuit can be found here.
