Firearms Policy Coalition

From the Firearms Policy Coalition:

Today, attorneys for Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), California Gun Rights Foundation (CGF), California Association of Federal Firearms Licensees (CAL-FFL), National Rifle Association of America (NRA), and Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a new federal lawsuit challenging bans on the operation of gun store and shooting ranges imposed by a number of Bay Area governments and government officials. A copy of the lawsuit can be found at FPCLegal.org.

“California’s local governments cannot simply suspend the Constitution,” opens the lawsuit. “Authorities may not, by decree or otherwise, enact and/or enforce a suspension or deprivation of constitutional liberties. And they certainly may not use a public health crisis as political cover to impose bans and restrictions on rights they do not like. . . . The need for self-defense during uncertain times is precisely when Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs’ members must be able to exercise their fundamental rights to keep and bear arms.”

The complaint targets emergency orders issued in relation to the coronavirus pandemic that shutters firearm and ammunition retailers and ranges, considering them “non-essential businesses.” SAF, FPC, CGF, and NRA have already filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles area governments and officials enforcing similar bans and orders. And even anti-gun New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy recently reversed his prior position following a similar lawsuit brought by attorneys for SAF and FPC.

“Local governments in California, or anywhere else for that matter, cannot simply suspend the Constitution, even using a public health crisis as an excuse,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb. “In this case, they are using the COVID-19 crisis as political cover to put restrictions on a constitutional right they don’t like, and we’re taking action to stop them.”

“In this challenging time, it is critical that common sense and the law prevail,” commented CGF Chairman, Gene Hoffman. “We’re demanding that our local officials set aside their policy preferences and unequivocally follow the Constitution. It is exactly in these sorts of social emergencies where law enforcement response can be severely impacted and individuals need access to the tools and training required to safely defend their homes.”

“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,” states 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.”

“These governments’ contempt for individuals’ enumerated constitutional rights reinforces the need for the courts to step in and prevent government officials from overstepping constitutional bounds,” proclaimed Adam Kraut, FPC’s Director of Legal Strategy and co-counsel on the lawsuit. “We will continue to work with our friends to bring litigation against governments that refuse to recognize the People’s inalienable right to keep and bear arms, particularly in times where it is most needed.”

“The Bay Area is not exempt from the Bill of Rights, and these outrageous and irrational restrictions on gun stores and ranges is a policy preference that the Constitution takes off the table,” explained FPC President Brandon Combs. “FPC and our partners look forward to reminding these governments and officials that the People’s Constitution is bigger than their personal opinions.”

Individual firearm or ammunition purchasers, retailers, and ranges affected by ‘stay-home’ or shutdown orders are encouraged to report their concerns and potential civil rights violations to FPC’s COVID-19 Issue Hotline at www.FPChotline.org.

Read more details about the gun rights orgs’ lawsuit here.

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50 COMMENTS

  2. for all of those law groups and lawyers in Cali that are pro Second Amendment; I find the state of affairs there disgusting and immoral. Unethical and demoralizing. The Ninth District is a nightmare.

    • The 9th’s sorry state Of affairs is being slowly but surely ameliorated. Hang tight. Now, don’t that tickle yore innards?

      • My brother-in-law (not the sharpest tool in the shed) was bragging about how many rolls of TP he and his wife have at home. A respectable amount, perhaps enough to last them two and a half months. His wife elbowed him to get him to shut up, as she probably thought we were going to raid their supplies or something.

        On the way home in the car, I told my wife not to worry about TP. Knowing that I’ve been a low-profile prepper for most of our marriage, she raised an eyebrow and asked, “how much do we have?”

        “Triple the amount your brother bragged he has. Plus three months’ worth of wet wipes and your favorite brands of feminine products. Not a word to anyone, dear.”

        She just smiled and said nothing further. She knows she’s married to someone who thinks ahead.

        • LOL, I guess I kinda did now that you say it like that, though I approached it more as pointing out that my brother-in-law thought he was such a smarty pants for bragging about it in front of the gathering, while he had no clue he’s an “amateur” next to real preppers.

        • Kudos for not rubbing his face in it, er, so to speak. Make that yet, because if things really go south, and he runs out, well…

  4. BREAKING in other news in California the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors just unanimously voted to remove L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva as the Director of Emergency Operations, the #1 person in charge of handling emergency responses, including FEMA/National Guard requests.

    He’s replaced by county CEO. The new Director of Emergency Operations will be County CEO Sachi Hamai, who recently announced she would be retiring in “early 2020”.

    County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told Bill Melugin of FoxLA that he believes this is political retaliation against him for his criticism of the Board and closing of gun stores.

    Bye Bye

    • “County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told Bill Melugin of FoxLA that he believes this is political retaliation against him for his criticism of the Board and closing of gun stores.”

      Well, he’s a politician, I’m not sure why he thinks he is immune to “retaliation” (consequences) when he makes stupid political decisions.

    • I think you guys have it backwards. Last night the Sheriff caved and allowed gun ranges and gun stores to remain open, given the position of the DHS (*and of course the pending federal lawsuit reported in these pages a couple of days ago). The retaliation is for him caving; the Board perhaps thinks the CEO will be more “compliant” and will re-institute the closure order as to these businesses. That’s my guess.

      • Perhaps, but it was the sheriff that speculated that it was because he tried to close them.

        It may be a coincidence anyway and he’s just trying to be a political martyr for ‘common sense gun reform” instead of having lost a political game.

  6. Sue them into oblivion,Sheriff Alex is still taking it in the shorts deservingly so.

    • I don’t know…Watching liberal destroy each other is pretty damn humorous. It’s really beginning to happen all over the country. Their Ideology is quickly becoming a circular firing squad. Of blame and finger pointing. Now the Governors of the most infected states (Liberal Controlled) are fighting over supplies. Blaming each other over being out bid for supplies and allowing citizens from each others states to enter theirs spreading the virus. This may just be natures way of destroying something that is far more dangerous than itself. Liberalism/Socialism/Communism. Which combined has killed more people and caused more misery. With the exception of the mosquito. Than any other reason in human history. This may well be the reset the Nation and the World has needed for a long time. Realizing what is Truly Important. Family, Freedom and Living with Each Other in Peace. Everything else just complicates things. Politics has divided US for so long we don’t know how to live any other way. Maybe this will bring Society together. After We realize We can’t survive without Each Other. May Peace Be With You.

      • floating popping hearts.
        i don’t want to bring anything together and would be happy to survive without many.
        the current hysteria is good theatre, but they’ll all still be nitwits when the bars reopen.

  8. Great to hear but one again I don’t see GOA mentioned . So glad I let my membership expire with GOA and gave those funds to SAF. Still a member of NRA too but have been giving more to the SAF.

  11. Can PERSONAL liability be attached to the actions of these lawless progs? Such is the key to breaking them.

  12. To those people in CA and other Blue States, that are just now figuring out that you SCREWED UP when you voted for the progressive, socialist, democrat, jackasses that are making your life miserable right now, I hope you’re learning your lesson. Down here in the Deep Red South (MS), we don’t permit our political leaders to trample on our rights. We have no gun ranges or shops that are closed or restricted in any way by the State or lower jurisdictions. They are all open for business, unless they voluntarily close the doors – and business is good. 🙂

    • I doubt that they’ll convert to single issue 2A voters and will remain in the fur lined cuffs of the Dems. However, I think they might be more likely to be on the right side of the next gun grabbing proposition.

    • I didn’t vote for them either. But then, I am up here in the northern “red” part of the state where our gun stores are “essential businesses” and are still open.

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  14. So many of the people in SF wanted gun bans and voted accordingly. They should reap what they sow.

    • Hopefully it makes them rethink their positions on 2A related issues, but I seriously doubt it. Those who cannot enjoy our Second Amendment will become even more anti guns and freedom, because if they cannot then nobody should, period. That’s how mini fascists think based on my observations.

      • look who SF sent to the House of Representatives. Can’t get more evil than that in this world.

        And she is third in line for the presidency. Imagine Trump and Pence falling to Wuhan flu and Nancy being sworn in.

  15. For those not aware yet, the Sheriff of LA County has been removed from leadership of emergency operations.

    • They blames it on the fires last year but we know the real reason. Now they have to get another lackey to close the gun stores down.

  17. Nice post. Now we’re in mid-April and people are beginning to realize even further about the draconian restrictions politicians are placing on Americans. Even on Easter worship. Shopping for seeds and paint. Now the only solution is to challenge these decisions in court. It must stop.

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