The Next Battle

[Matt304]

So what needs to happen for the next court battle to begin, and what grounds do you all feel that battle needs to cover? Does someone need to be charged with having "an illegal weapon", in a jurisdiction which has a ban on guns with pistol grips or etc, for the next useful case? (No, I don't plan on being the one, just yet anyways. )

Because frankly, I'm just a little confused at how the battle for gun rights in court works around here. Someone gets charged with something, and if the NRA feels it is a foundation case to make a statement, they put their money and lawyers into it? If so, why have they waited until now?

I just think we need to make more progress in federal courts, soon. I mean here we are in 2008, another idiot about to take office, and finally our seemingly first small little battle was fought and won. But we should have won handfuls by now.

 

[gtmerkley]

Next Battle: there's one in CA right now.

 

[ilbob]

But we should have won handfuls by now.

For all his other alleged faults, GWB has appointed some very fine justices to the supreme court. There is a good chance that prior to a few years ago, the SC might well have decided against us.

What has helped has been the ground swell at the state level for regaining a small part of our purloined RTKBA. We need to focus on that even more. Right now 48 states permit at least some non LE concealed carry. Its not ideal, but it is a dramatic improvement from 20 years.

Think what could be accomplished in another 20 years.

 

[mbdolfin]

i am willing to bet in another 20 years

i am willing to bet that in another 20 years New Jersey still WILL NOT be a shall issue state!

 

[ilbob]

i am willing to bet that in another 20 years New Jersey still WILL NOT be a shall issue state!

It might take that long to get there.

First you solidify the right to keep arms and incorporating it. Maybe 10 years.

Then work on the right to bear arms. Maybe another ten years.

However, the threat of having the SC mandate something, might well lead the recalcitrant states into modifying their laws.

 

[lysander]

The next big legal battle on the horizon is likely going to come out of the lawsuit filed to challenge the Chicago ban.

...but I think the real (and ignored) battleground isn't going to be straight gun laws...but rather heavy restrictions being placed on where you can shoot.

Most gun clubs (in my experience) are run by a tired old group of curmudgeons who aren't real savvy on protecting their clubs from encroaching development, environmental restrictions, etc.

What good is owning a gun if you have nowhere to shoot it?