Monday, December 02, 2019

SIGNIFICANT SCOTUS CASE TO BE HEARD TODAY

by Bob Walsh

Today SCOTUS will hear New York City vs. New York Rifle and Pistol Association. The city is trying to convince the court that the case is moot as they have already withdrawn the asinine regulations. The plaintiffs are trying to pursue it to get the case on the record. They are asserting (correctly I believe) that they could always change the rules back plus their membership still might take civil action in the matter.

Under the old rules if you have a premisis permit (as opposed to a carry permit, those being very very hard to get) you could ONLY possess your weapon at the licensed location or while moving it to one of only seven named, authorized ranges in the city. That's it. You could not take it upstate or out of state, even to shoot at a recognized pistol competition, or to hunt, or to shoot on land you personally own. The city backed away from those rules, at least for the nonce, because they knew they were indefensible and they would end up eating it. They still might, but even though the court has agreed to hear the case they could still decide the issue is moot after the hearing. There have been about 50 amicus briefs filed in the case.

A ruling, if one is made at all, will likely not surface for six or seven months.

2 comments:

Dave Freeman said...

I hope they pursue it and then sue for all they can get. It's the only way to stop this overreach.

bob walsh said...

Unfortunately there is a very good change the court will decide the issue is moot and duck it.