This struggle will never be over. We must remain vigilant and proactive. They love to say that “national law enforcement organizations” agree with their 2nd Amendment stance.
Press Release
Brady Center Urges Federal Appeals Court to Uphold New DC Gun Law
Sep 20, 2010
Washington, D.C. – The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, joined by national law enforcement organizations, filed an amicus brief today in federal appeals court in Washington arguing that the District of Columbia’s new gun laws are constitutional.
Dick Heller, the same person who successfully challenged the District’s handgun ban in the U.S. Supreme Court, is seeking to have the court strike down District’s new gun laws. These new laws were enacted to conform with the Supreme Court’s 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller. Although the District’s new laws allow Mr. Heller to have a handgun in his home for self defense (pursuant to the ruling by the Supreme Court), he is claiming that the Second Amendment does not permit the District to prohibit military-style assault weapons, or require proficiency testing, registration and licensing, or to limit his handgun registrations to one per month. These gun laws withstood a constitutional challenge by Mr. Heller in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Mr. Heller then appealed the court’s decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
“As the lower court properly ruled, the Second Amendment as defined by Justice Scalia in the Heller case, allows reasonable gun laws needed to protect the public,†said Brady Center President Paul Helmke. “The Second Amendment does not prevent the District from enacting common sense gun laws to ensure that gun owners know how to use their weapons without unduly endangering others, and to prevent criminals from arming themselves. Mr. Heller’s new lawsuit exposes the gun lobby’s real agenda. They will not be satisfied until the courts allow ‘any gun, to anybody, anywhere.’ The Court should reject that dangerous vision of the Second Amendment.â€
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As the nation’s largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke’s blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.