2A Newsletter: Week of August 4th
This week we submitted our response to the Supreme Court and are taking the battle to the highest court in the land! Please support us through our Legal Defense Fund and check back with our Newsletter for live updates to see how SCOTUS responds.
New Jersey Now Requires John Wick Skills for Carry Permit
Photo Source: Bylook via Shutterstock
New Jersey has taken their gun control measures to a new level with the state now requiring its citizens to display almost cinematic levels of proficiency to exercise their Second Amendment rights. The newly introduced law, colloquially known as the 'Carry Killer', imposes carry permit standards that even surpass those required of some law enforcement officials.
By July 1, 2023, the Superintendent of State Police was expected to establish a comprehensive training program for the lawful and safe handling and storage of firearms. This program was to encompass an online course, in-person classroom instruction, and target training conducted by certified firearm instructors. However, this deadline was missed, with the Superintendent instead releasing an interim "Use of Force" training guide for private citizens on July 17, 2023.
The stringent requirements of this program include timed firing from concealed holsters, accurate shooting from kneeling positions, and even hitting targets at 25 yards — a distance rarely seen in civilian self-defense situations. The rigorous course of fire utilized to pass the training, known as HQC2 (scroll down to page 13 for qualification course), includes a sequence of challenging tasks that must be completed with an 80% success rate.
To further complicate matters, very few permit holders will be grandfathered into these new rules. Most current permit holders and all new applicants must complete the required form by October 1, 2023, to maintain or obtain their permit to carry a handgun. They also must fill out a form dictating any and all handgun they could potentially carry on them. Exceptions to these rules are few and far between, with only those who obtained their permits after July 1, 2023, being exempt until their renewal.
The Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC), has filed a suit against this ruling back when it was enacted in December. Please support them and spread the word to help the gun owners in New Jersey who are dealing with the fallout of this absurd regulation.
Thanks to Biden, Brazil has brought back Gun Control Outlawing Civilian Ownership
Photo Source: Palacio do Planalto via Flikr
We know that America has had a heavy hand in the past when it comes to politics in South America. Brazil, long-suffering under unstable political regimes, has moved to tighten gun control. President Da Silva's recent executive order reduces the allowed firearms for civilians from four to two and slashes allowed ammunition per gun from 200 rounds to 50. Civilians are now barred from owning 9mm pistols—these are now exclusive to police and military.
Thing is, under the previous Brazilian president (Jair Messias Bolsonaro), gun ownership among citizens increased which significantly decreased crime, especially homicides. Peace and protection is something Brazilians have desperately needed to be able to take personal ownership of. It wasn't so long ago (only in 2006) where Brazil police were reported to have been responsible for thousands of quasi-executions.
These sweeping changes echo gun control pushes closer to home, emphasizing the need to protect Second Amendment rights in the face of potential policy shifts. Brazil's recent history shows the dangers of a well-armed police force and a disarmed civilian populace. It is never a good thing when the public cannot put the government in check.
Da Silva, who has a criminal history including a conviction for bribery, justifies the new restrictions: "Only the police and the army must be well-armed." This sets a dangerous precedent, blurring the line between protection and tyranny.
As we observe Brazil's shifting landscape, we must remain vigilant in upholding our own rights. As the fight for the Second Amendment continues, your support is crucial. The lessons from Brazil underscore that the threat to gun ownership and personal protection is global, and the need for advocacy is paramount.
PROVEN: The Trace is just another Michael Bloomberg Publication
Photo Source: Rblfmr via Shutterstock
A thorough probe into the alleged journalistic entity, The Trace, unveils it as a surreptitious channel for former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun efforts. Despite its claim of independence, The Trace’s connections with Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Safety have come under scrutiny, calling into question its objectivity as a "newsroom dedicated to covering gun violence."
The ties unearthed by Rob Romano of the Firearms Policy Coalitionpoint to an uncomfortable overlap between The Trace and Everytown. A shared president, John Feinblatt, the same contact number, and a joint place of incorporation in Delaware, all cast doubt on The Trace's purported independence.
Despite these striking revelations, numerous media organizations, such as USA Today, have continued to collaborate with The Trace, essentially turning a blind eye to these affiliations and publishing its anti-gun narrative guilt-free. This conduct violates the ethical guidelines of news reporting as outlined by Gannett, the parent company of USA Today, which mandates fairness, independence, and truth.
FPC Argues in Supreme Court: Chevron Deference is UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
Photo Source: Spiroview Inc via Shutterstock
The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and FPC Action Foundation (FPCAF) have recently challenged the longstanding legal doctrine known as Chevron deference. This doctrine has been a contentious aspect of administrative law since the Supreme Court ruling in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
What is Chevron deference? Chevron deference stipulates that courts must yield to an executive branch agency's interpretation of federal law, even when that interpretation may not inappropriate or downright false. This rule effectively gives agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) significant “interpretative freedom”, often unchecked by Congress or the courts.
The FPC and FPCAF argue that Chevron deference violates Articles I and III of the U.S. Constitution. By allowing executive agencies to interpret the laws they enforce, the judiciary's authority is undermined, and the legislative responsibility of Congress is eroded. This situation concentrates legislative, executive, and judicial powers in a single branch of government—a condition the Founding Fathers warned against as it paves the way for tyranny.
The FPC's challenge to the Supreme Court underlines the need to reassess the balance of power among our government branches and uphold the principles set by our Founding Fathers. The decision of the Supreme Court in this matter could reshape the dynamics of administrative law and restore checks and balances in the U.S. government all while giving peace of mind to the people the Government is supposed to serve and protect.
In Other 2A News
- 5th Circuit of Appeals Rules ATF Pistol Brace is Illegal
- Will you be attending SAF’s Gun Rights Policy Conference this year?
ENJOY OUR NEWSLETTER?
Do you find it overwhelming, having to keep up with all the news surrounding guns and your right to own or build them? That’s what we’re here for. Obviously, we’re slightly biased but we do the digging and research across both sides of the aisle to bring you the most holistic and accurate information so that you don’t have to! Sign up for our newsletter to stay tuned and for regular updates if you haven’t already.
Have topics you would like to see us touch on or any feedback for us? Make sure to leave a comment below! We want to make sure we are putting out news relevant to our customers, and what you want to hear! Knowledge is power, and the more informed we all are about what's going on with our rights, the more effectively we can fight back.