From the Firearms Policy Coalition . . .
Three days after it secured a historic victory in a post-trial judgment striking down California’s ban on so-called “assault weapons,” Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) today filed a new federal Second Amendment lawsuit challenging Massachusetts’ ban on constitutionally protected, modern handguns commonly possessed and used for lawful purposes throughout the United States. The complaint can be found at FPCLegal.org.
In addition to state laws requiring that gun owners obtain a Firearms Identification Card or License to Carry Firearms, Massachusetts also prohibits the commercial sale of handguns that are not on its “Approved Handgun Roster” nor prohibited by Attorney General Maura Healey’s “Handgun Sales Regulations.” As a result, Massachusetts residents are prevented from purchasing a large number of popular makes and models of constitutionally protected handguns.
FPC’s complaint alleges that the state’s laws and regulations “effectively operat[e] as a bar to the exercise of the fundamental right to bear protected arms,” which “violate[s] Plaintiffs’ rights, and the rights of those similarly situated, under the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.” In addition, the complaint observes that “some of Massachusetts’ ‘safety’ requirements, such as the mandated 10-lb. trigger pull… make handguns so outfitted more difficult to operate effectively and thus more difficult to operate safely.”
“The state of Massachusetts and Attorney General Healey unconstitutionally infringe upon the fundamental, individual Second Amendment rights of the People by restricting them from acquiring the common, modern handgun of their choice for self-defense,” said Adam Kraut, FPC’s Senior Director of Legal Operations. “Massachusetts’ laws do not support public safety and cannot survive any constitutionally appropriate mode of scrutiny. Rather, the state’s laws prevent people from exercising their rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Such clearly unjust, unconstitutional laws cannot be permitted to stand, and we look forward to vindicating the rights of our clients and all law-abiding Bay State residents.”
“Through this and other strategic actions, we are putting recalcitrant government officials on notice: If you ban constitutionally protected firearms or conduct, we are coming for you. The days of governments doing whatever they wish to impose expansive, unconstitutional gun control laws are numbered. FPC and our members will work tirelessly to bring your tyrannical efforts to a crashing halt. We are committed to restoring human liberty and freedom using every available resource. Massachusetts, and indeed all states, must comply with the Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment, period,” commented FPC President Brandon Combs.
Individuals that are interested in joining FPC in the fight against tyranny can become a member of the FPC Grassroots Army for just $25 at JoinFPC.org.
Firearms Policy Coalition and its FPC Law team are the nation’s next-generation advocates leading the Second Amendment litigation and research space. Some FPC legal actions include:
- A challenge to California’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” (Miller v. Bonta) that resulted in a post-trial judgment and permanent injunction against the challenged regulations, the first such victory in United States history
- A brief supporting certiorari in NYSRPA v. Bruen, which was granted by the U.S. Supreme Court
- A challenge to Minnesota’s ban on handgun carry by adults under 21 (Worth v. Harrington)
- A challenge to Illinois’ ban on handgun carry by adults under 21 (Meyer v. Raoul)
- A challenge to Georgia’s ban on handgun carry by adults under 21 (Baughcum v. Jackson)
- A challenge to Tennessee’s ban on handgun carry by adults under 21 (Basset v. Slatery)
- A challenge to Maryland’s ban on handgun carry (Call v. Jones)
- A challenge to New Jersey’s ban on handgun carry (Bennett v. Davis)
- A challenge to New York City’s ban on handgun carry (Greco v. New York City)
- A challenge to Pennsylvania’s ban on handgun carry by adults under 21 (Lara v. Evanchick)
- A challenge to the federal ban on the sale of handguns and handgun ammunition to adults under 21 years of age (Reese v. ATF)
- A challenge to Maryland’s ban on so-called “assault weapons” (Bianchi v. Frosh)
- A challenge to California’s handgun “roster”, microstamping, and self-manufacturing ban laws (Renna v. Bonta)
- A challenge to Pennsylvania’s laws completely denying the right to carry to individuals who were previously granted relief from prior non-violent convictions and are not currently prohibited from possessing firearms (Suarez v. Evanchick)
For more on these cases and other legal action initiatives, visit FPCLegal.org and follow FPC on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube.
Maybe I can be the first:
Another Second Amendment strike for justice led by the vaunted, overpowering, overweening, overfunded, politician-threatening, hero of the gun lobby; NRA !
First mistake.
looks like they’ve been busy…good for them….
“First mistake.”
And, which/what mistake would that be?
Looks to me like you done what you set out to do. 🙂
“Looks to me like you done what you set out to do. 🙂”
I realize I haven’t been as successful, lately, as hoped. Lack of success can be attributed to the fact that “the Colonel” embarked on her final permanent change of station (PCS), and is now assigned to a national cemetery. Been off my game lately.
National Cemetery? She shopping for your next PCS?
“Lack of success can be attributed to the fact that “the Colonel” embarked on her final permanent change of station (PCS), and is now assigned to a national cemetery.”
Sincere condolences if you mean your significant other, Sam…
Condolences and prayers, Sam. I’m sure it’s a tough time for you.
My most sincere condolences my good man.
Mr. H, so sorry for your loss, may she Go With God.
@jwm
“She shopping for your next PCS?”
Shopping not necessary. Selection jointly made for both of us. Had the theme from the William Tell Overture played upon her arrival at the new location.
The experience I have had with the staff at the national cemeteries has been top notch, Sam.
They were very helpful in arranging the custom touches for the graveside service…
“The experience I have had with the staff at the national cemeteries has been top notch, Sam. ”
The staff could not have done more. Every request was graciously and unquestioningly honored.
✌out to yah, Sam I Am
“✌out to yah, Sam I Am”
Thanx, mate. ‘Preciate that.
Sam, I am so sorry to learn of your loss. With time may you find solace in her memories. From an Irish headstone… ” Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal “
Sincere apologies Sam. I misread your first comment.
At this point I would like to take my foot out of my mouth and express my condolences at your loss.
“Sincere apologies Sam. I misread your first comment.”
No worries mate. Reading back, I wasn’t as clear as should have been.
10lbs….good lord!
Better to just throw their gun at the bad guy.
That’s flintlock pistol trigger weight. In the era before primers, you needed to put enough load on the hammer to spark the powder. :O
If it’s good enough for the NYPD, it must a great idea for everyone in Massachusetts.
@Geoff
“Sincere condolences if you mean your significant other, Sam…”
Thank you sir.
Even after 39yrs, it seemed as if we had just started. No matter who you are, or how much you think you are a stoic, no one is really prepared when love goes quietly into that long goodnight.
Eternal rest grant unto her oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
May God grant you and your family healing and peace.
I am so sorry for your loss sir. May you someday rest beside her in honored glory. God bless you.
“May you someday rest beside her in honored glory.”
When the role is called up yonder.
Thank you for the words.
Been there done that. It sucks big time.
“Been there done that. It sucks big time.”
I know you have, amigo. Was thinking about that when responding to Geoff…and you.
TTAG gives me something to do, from time-to-time.
Nothing says you have to keep the 10+ pound trigger after you buy it. Going after the AWB in another circuit would have made more sense.
Firearms Identification Card.
and people got them because they did not want to break the law.
As I said in a counterpoint comment to ing or Lifesavor. “You may not be able to beat sense into people, but you can beat them into obedience.”
It depends on your tolerance of the beating.
10 lb trigger pull wtf?
“Condolences and prayers, Sam.”
Thanx for the expression. Used a portion of “High Flight” at the ceremony: “Reached out and touched the face of God”.
Though “the Colonel” wasn’t an aviator, she achieved the goal.
I know you will understand.
@FormerParatrooper
“My most sincere condolences my good man.”
Thank you indeed.
Sometimes, when thinking about it, a strange set of commands seems to drift through the air: “Stand up. Hook up. Stand in the door. Go.”
@Pb_fan59
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal “
True, indeed.
The Irish are great poets.
May the wind be always at your back…
Woo hoo!
Good luck, FPC. My older son is still trapped down there.
@PM in Fl
“may she Go With God”
Thank you for those words.
I am confident she “…lies asleep in the arms of the Lord.”
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