The NRA Horns in on Supreme Court Gun Case and Hires Attorney.

[ms]

The NRA Horns in on Supreme Court Gun case.
February 13, 2010
The NRA Horns in on Supreme Court Gun Case and Hires Attorney that Argued in Favor of DC Gun Ban.
On January 25, the Supreme Court granted the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) motion for a divided argument in the McDonald v. City of Chicago gun rights case.
Justices will consider for the first time whether the Second Amendment is an individual right that applies against state and local restrictions.
The NRA is not one of the petitioners in the case and was opposed by Alan Gura attorney for the petitioners.
McDonald v. City of Chicago has been supported by the Illinois State Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation which are part of the petitioners to the court.
By granting the NRA’s motion to split the oral argument before the court, Alan Gura will only be given 20 minutes of the normally allotted 30 minutes to present his case.


Alan Gura is the attorney that successfully argued before the court last year in the Heller case that overturned the hand gun ban in Washington DC.
Gura’s  brief for McDonald emphasizes the “privileges or immunities clause” argument in favor of applying the Second Amendment to the states, whereas the NRA in their  brief wants to advance a more traditional “due process clause” argument for incorporation.
The NRA’s involvement in the case has rubbed some gun owners the wrong way. They say that the NRA is trying to benefit from someone else’s sweat and money.
The NRA has hired former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement to present their arguments before the court.
In 2007 as solicitor general, Paul Clement filed a  brief in the Heller case arguing that the D.C. handgun ban warranted heightened scrutiny but was not necessarily unconstitutional.
Faced with a motion for a divided argument Gura preferred Texas attorney General Greg Abbott to speak in place of the NRA’s Paul Clement.
Texas had filed one  amicus brief on behalf of thirty-three states urging the Court to uphold the Second Amendment as binding on state and local governments. Even California filed a separate  amicus brief urging the same.
The NRA has a long and well documented history of compromise and concessions; the question before American gun owners is will the NRA compromise on McDonald v. City of Chicago?
For those wanting to keep up with the events involving the McDonald v. City of Chicago case, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has an excellent web site with current updates.

[Graybeard]

As I've said often the NRA is not the friend of gun owners they protray themselves to be or that so many assume them to be. They are actually claiming credit for getting the case before the court in the first place even tho not an original petitioner in the case.

Folks will never listen or believe the real ugly truth about the NRA until it's too late.

[myronman3]

As I've said often the NRA is not the friend of gun owners they protray themselves to be or that so many assume them to be. They are actually claiming credit for getting the case before the court in the first place even tho not an original petitioner in the case.

Folks will never listen or believe the real ugly truth about the NRA until it's too late.

+1

[243shooter]

sometimes the nra makes me wonder also. i am a member and can't help but feel without them we would already be like australia or the many anti-gun european countries. if nothing else it shows the politicians that there are over 4 million gun owners in this country that are willing to join an organization to proctect their rights (??).

[nw_hunter]

sometimes the nra makes me wonder also. i am a member and can't help but feel without them we would already be like australia or the many anti-gun european countries. if nothing else it shows the politicians that there are over 4 million gun owners in this country that are willing to join an organization to proctect their rights (??).

I was a member too! Emphasis on was! No need to wonder. "Facts are facts" They are compromising our gun rights away!

The NRA supported the National Firearms Act of 1934 which taxes and requires registration of such firearms as machine guns, short-barreled rifles and sawed-off shotguns.

It supported the Federal Firearms Act of 1938, which regulates interstate and foreign commerce in firearms and pistol or revolver ammunition. It supported legislation to amend the Federal Firearms Act in regard to handguns when it was introduced as S.1975 in August, 1963. Among its provisions was the requirement that a purchaser submit a notarized statement to the shipper that he was over 18 and not legally disqualified from possessing a handgun.

In 1965, the NRA continued its support of an expansion of the above legislation to include rifles and shotguns, as well as handguns.

Additionally the NRA supported the regulation of the movement of handguns in interstate and foreign commerce by:

· requiring a sworn statement, containing certain information, from the purchaser to the seller for the receipt of a handgun in interstate commerce;

· providing for notification of local police of prospective sales;

· requiring an additional 7-day waiting period by the seller after receipt of acknowledgement of notification to local police;

· prescribing a minimum age of 21 for obtaining a license to sell firearms and increasing the license fees;

· providing for written notification by manufacturer or dealer to carrier that a firearm is being shipped in interstate commerce, and;

· increasing penalties for violation.

All of these facts have been carefully and meticulously documented by KeepAndBearArms.com Founder and Executive Director Angel Shamaya in an article entitled, NRA Supported the National Firearms Act of 1934. 

Never mind that several of the above are stepping stones to registration of gun owners - which NRA has publicly, repeatedly admitted leads to confiscation. In fact, NRA has raised money to ‘fight against gun registration’ out of one side of their mouth while helping create gun and gun owner registration lists out of the other.

Never mind the absurdity of placing a minimum age on a constitutional right – especially when teenagers can enter the military and use firearms in the defense of our country.

Never mind the pure maliciousness of forcing Americans to wait a week to exercise their constitutional rights!

The issue is: why does an organization which purports to be a major force in defending the right to keep and bear arms actually support infringements on said right?

I was a member! I now support the GOA. I don't have to wonder about them!

[Redhawk1]

I will stick with the NRA. 2 years ago I made claims about the GOA accomplishing not one thing, they still have not. The GOA can't get anything going. They have not accomplished squat.

Love them or hate them, the NRA is the only reason we still have guns in the USA.

Graybeard, do you have a better solution to the NRA? and please don't tell me the GOA....

[Redhawk1]

You all come here every chance you get to blast the NRA.. But it is the clowns in Congress that makes all these bills and anti-gun laws. And you sit there with your thumbs up your back side, and don't put the blame where it belongs, in the Legislators hands.

If the politicians followed the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment as it was meant to be, we would not need the NRA or any other group to protect our gun rights. It is the people that vote that put those clowns in office and they get elected year after year, and what do you do? You blame the NRA for all the gun problems. You are pathetic.

You want to make a change, get off your back sides and join a 9-12 group or a TEA Party group and get these liberal clowns out of office that are making all these stupid laws, so we don't need anyone to hang the blame on when we loose our rights.

At least I am out there fighting for the 2nd Amendment rights with my 9-12 group. I am not depending on the NRA, GOA or any other rag tag group to do my fighting for me.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING??

[bearmgc]

I belong to JPFO. There's other organizations besides NRA.

[Graybeard]

Yup and some even do things on their on rather than taking credit for what others have started.

[JBlk]

I am a member of the NRA and have been for many years.I have always had the impression that some of the NRAs big brass have used their position for their own benifit.I get tired of thier constant request for donations and have wondered how much of their collections actually go for the cause that it was requested for.But the bottom line is that they do fight for our second ammendment rights, and they are powerfull enough to make their voice heard.Most of you live in states were your gun laws are reasonable.That is not the case here in Illinois, and I think that if it wasn't for the NRA they would be alot more unreasonable.The Supreme Court has shirked its duty for years with their reluctance to rule on the second amendment issues.The hope that the anti gun people have is their politicans will appoint more liberal canidates to the Supreme Court Bench that will strike down the 2nd.I am glad to see this case proceeding at the time that it is and hopefully the court will finally make a landmark decision in favor of gunowners.

[Savage .250]

I,like a lot of you guys, have been an NRA member for years and often read were  folks
   voice a negative opinion about this or that, even saying they dropped out of the NRA
   for their own reasons. That`s all well and good as members come and go but the bottom line is, What other organization has the muscle to get things done ? Anybody?
   Is there somebody out there who can step into the breech and grab the reins from the NRA and do a better job?  Who?
   I`m aware we have different expectations about the NRA. Bitching and complaining is
    part of the free process and it surely brings things into focus  but there is one constant here and that is.....United we stand, Divided we fall.  Just my $.02 guys.        

[blackpowderbill]

In a war, sometimes you have to overlook some of your allie's faults. The NRA ain't perfect but it's the best ally we have at this time.

[oldandslow]

This is still the most free of any country and we can still state our opinion. My opinion is that with the NRA we would be in about the same shape as England when it comes to gun ownership. I'll continue to be a member. Any other gun owners organization has exactly zero clout on capitol hill.

[Redhawk1]

Yup and some even do things on their on rather than taking credit for what others have started.

Sure the NRA jumps in, that is what they should do. Why sit back and let the other pro-gun groups fail?

Dammed if they do, and dammed if they don't. You people do nothing but complain, but don't have a better option. I have not seen the GOA come to Delaware and fight for any of our 2nd Amendment issues or for that matter any other group. We do have the Caesar Rodney Institute that had an impact here lately on a 2nd Amendment issue, once again backed by the NRA.

All your other pro-gun/ 2nd Amendment groups can't do it on there own, they do not have the power of the NRA..

I am also a life member of a 2nd Amendment group called the Delaware Sportsman Association as well, they are our States answer to the Anti-gun Legislators, but when they can't make head way they call in the NRA. The NRA has had a huge positive effect on getting anti-gun bills stopped, and pro-gun bills passed here in Delaware Because they worked with our State level group..
So without the NRA stepping in, not much would of been accomplished.

[gwhilikerz]

I belong to the NRA but there are lots of things I dislike about it. I think they have wandered a little off the path and have their fingers in way too many pies. MY biggest complaint is the Whittington Center. Sure they have several events there. But it seems to be more of a private hunting club for some of the elites. How much money does that require? How much would be available to defend the 2nd Ammendment without such luxuries?

[Redhawk1]

I belong to the NRA but there are lots of things I dislike about it. I think they have wandered a little off the path and have their fingers in way too many pies. MY biggest complaint is the Whittington Center. Sure they have several events there. But it seems to be more of a private hunting club for some of the elites. How much money does that require? How much would be available to defend the 2nd Ammendment without such luxuries?

You all feed right into the Anti-gun crowds hands. They want us divided.

Do you know how much money them elite people donate to the NRA, a whole lot more they most of the average NRA members. I see way to many of you complain about paying $35.00 a year and get a subscription to there gun rag as well. You complain when they solicited your for donations, and you don't give a dime.

So many of the people complaining don't donate anything to the NRA, but will take every chance to bash them if they don't think the NRA is on there side.

It is those elite group of people that donate the lions share of money to the NRA. Without them the NRA would be just like the GOA, a small group with no clout.

[powderman]

In a war, sometimes you have to overlook some of your allie's faults. The NRA ain't perfect but it's the best ally we have at this time.

YEP, agreed.
REDHAWK1. Good posts, also true. POWDERMAN. 

[briarpatch]

The same thing happens to all groups, governments etc. We set back, dont get involved and soon the sorry asses who prey on us lazy asses move in and take over.
The NRA is the way it is because that is evidently what we wanted.

[nw_hunter]

Yup and some even do things on their on rather than taking credit for what others have started.

LOL! "BINGO"

[nw_hunter]

I,like a lot of you guys, have been an NRA member for years and often read were  folks
   voice a negative opinion about this or that, even saying they dropped out of the NRA
   for their own reasons. That`s all well and good as members come and go but the bottom line is, What other organization has the muscle to get things done ? Anybody?
   Is there somebody out there who can step into the breech and grab the reins from the NRA and do a better job?  Who?
   I`m aware we have different expectations about the NRA. Bitching and complaining is
    part of the free process and it surely brings things into focus  but there is one constant here and that is.....United we stand, Divided we fall.  Just my $.02 guys.        

You are using the same old tired argument the Lesser of the two evil voters use.
The proof is in the pudding.............The NRA duping the members. The GOA and others trying to do what the NRA refuses to do.(FACTS DON"T LIE). These other groups like the GOA will never have the clout, if people like you and I don't see the light and give to the groups that actually work hard for the American gun owners. There is a difference in Bitching and complaining, and trying to get the truth out.

Here is a test for you............Try emailing or writing the NRA about a problem you see with that organization. The only response you will get from them, is a donation appeal!

[dukkillr]

You are using the same old tired argument the Lesser of the two evil voters use.

Ive been wondering for some time if anyone would make this obvious jump.  Actually what I was really hoping was that Dee would make it for us... 

[gwhilikerz]

I belong to the NRA but there are lots of things I dislike about it. I think they have wandered a little off the path and have their fingers in way too many pies. MY biggest complaint is the Whittington Center. Sure they have several events there. But it seems to be more of a private hunting club for some of the elites. How much money does that require? How much would be available to defend the 2nd Ammendment without such luxuries?

You all feed right into the Anti-gun crowds hands. They want us divided.

Do you know how much money them elite people donate to the NRA, a whole lot more they most of the average NRA members. I see way to many of you complain about paying $35.00 a year and get a subscription to there gun rag as well. You complain when they solicited your for donations, and you don't give a dime.

So many of the people complaining don't donate anything to the NRA, but will take every chance to bash them if they don't think the NRA is on there side.

It is those elite group of people that donate the lions share of money to the NRA. Without them the NRA would be just like the GOA, a small group with no clout.

I pay my dues. If I want to complain then I will. If even one dollar of my money goes to provide the "elites" with a hunt then i have the right to call them on it.

[Redhawk1]

I belong to the NRA but there are lots of things I dislike about it. I think they have wandered a little off the path and have their fingers in way too many pies. MY biggest complaint is the Whittington Center. Sure they have several events there. But it seems to be more of a private hunting club for some of the elites. How much money does that require? How much would be available to defend the 2nd Ammendment without such luxuries?

You all feed right into the Anti-gun crowds hands. They want us divided.

Do you know how much money them elite people donate to the NRA, a whole lot more they most of the average NRA members. I see way to many of you complain about paying $35.00 a year and get a subscription to there gun rag as well. You complain when they solicited your for donations, and you don't give a dime.

So many of the people complaining don't donate anything to the NRA, but will take every chance to bash them if they don't think the NRA is on there side.

It is those elite group of people that donate the lions share of money to the NRA. Without them the NRA would be just like the GOA, a small group with no clout.

I pay my dues. If I want to complain then I will. If even one dollar of my money goes to provide the "elites" with a hunt then i have the right to call them on it.

Your $35.00 yearly fee only covers your membership and gun rags. Come on and tell the truth, how much do you donate to the NRA... Them Elite people donate tens of thousands each year. Keep your dollar and quit whinning.

[Redhawk1]

I,like a lot of you guys, have been an NRA member for years and often read were  folks
   voice a negative opinion about this or that, even saying they dropped out of the NRA
   for their own reasons. That`s all well and good as members come and go but the bottom line is, What other organization has the muscle to get things done ? Anybody?
   Is there somebody out there who can step into the breech and grab the reins from the NRA and do a better job?  Who?
   I`m aware we have different expectations about the NRA. Bitching and complaining is
    part of the free process and it surely brings things into focus  but there is one constant here and that is.....United we stand, Divided we fall.  Just my $.02 guys.        

You are using the same old tired argument the Lesser of the two evil voters use.
The proof is in the pudding.............The NRA duping the members. The GOA and others trying to do what the NRA refuses to do.(FACTS DON"T LIE). These other groups like the GOA will never have the clout, if people like you and I don't see the light and give to the groups that actually work hard for the American gun owners. There is a difference in Bitching and complaining, and trying to get the truth out.

Here is a test for you............Try emailing or writing the NRA about a problem you see with that organization. The only response you will get from them, is a donation appeal!

There is no lesser of two evils here. If the GOA was such a great group, Why are there numbers not growing? Weak argument for a weak group.

We don't have a problem getting the NRA to come to Delaware, it is the GOA that does not show up.. Your argument does not hold water.

I have written the NRA and got replies with no problems. I have meat with the former President of the NRA John Sigler, and we have discussed issues here in Delaware. As a matter of fact, he is our guest speaker at or next 2 9-12 meetings. This Wednesday and Thursday night. He is involved on the local level here in Delaware, and gets things done here in Delaware. So the NRA is working for our interests and gun rights. I don't see the GOA anywhere in Delaware....

I have called them on gun issues and sent many e-mails to the GOA, no replies or returned phone calls. What a great group the GOA is...NOT!!!!!

[gwhilikerz]

Whining? I have some advice for you redhawk. Don't try to bully me. That is what democrats and idiots do when they have no other argument. If you don't like my complaints about the NRA you are free to ignore me or present an argument to convince me I am wrong. All you did was tell me to shut up and keep paying or get out. You can pay my dues for me next time they come due.

[dukkillr]

Whining? I have some advice for you redhawk. Don't try to bully me. That is what democrats and idiots do when they have no other argument. If you don't like my complaints about the NRA you are free to ignore me or present an argument to convince me I am wrong. All you did was tell me to shut up and keep paying or get out. You can pay my dues for me next time they come due.

I've come to feel the same way.  His attitude merely reinforces my negative opinion of the NRA.  That he keeps saying the same thing, and even resorts to Wayne's World dialogue ("not") makes me wonder about the clarity of thought permeating NRA apologists and blind faith followers.  His argument and presentation would undoubtedly be better suited had he posted once and let that stand as his position.  Personal attacks and denigration of others will not win those he seeks to convince.  I can't imagine it impresses anyone.

[notnowjohn]

I left the NRA 5-6 years ago when they stopped supporting my Democratic state congressman to whom they always gave a AAA rating in favor of some unknown Republican shill. They also interfered in our first attempt to get CCW in Mo. in over 100 years and totally screwed it. We finally got it passed with no "help" from them. Screw the NRA.

[ms]

Whining? I have some advice for you redhawk. Don't try to bully me. That is what democrats and idiots do when they have no other argument. If you don't like my complaints about the NRA you are free to ignore me or present an argument to convince me I am wrong. All you did was tell me to shut up and keep paying or get out. You can pay my dues for me next time they come due.

I've come to feel the same way.  His attitude merely reinforces my negative opinion of the NRA.  That he keeps saying the same thing, and even resorts to Wayne's World dialogue ("not") makes me wonder about the clarity of thought permeating NRA apologists and blind faith followers.  His argument and presentation would undoubtedly be better suited had he posted once and let that stand as his position.  Personal attacks and denigration of others will not win those he seeks to convince.  I can't imagine it impresses anyone.

+1

[nw_hunter]

Whining? I have some advice for you redhawk. Don't try to bully me. That is what democrats and idiots do when they have no other argument. If you don't like my complaints about the NRA you are free to ignore me or present an argument to convince me I am wrong. All you did was tell me to shut up and keep paying or get out. You can pay my dues for me next time they come due.

That is all you will get from that Bird! I think to try and educate people like him is a waste of time.
Prob. have more success teaching a mountain gorilla to play the William Tell Overture on a baby grand.

[subdjoe]

NRA, GOA, JPFO, CRPA, etc.  support whichever you can, as you can.   I've been a member of all the above.  And gotten ticked off about something and let my membership lapse. Then join again.  BUT...it don't matter a damn if we don't actually do our parts.  Here is a rant I wrote a few years back.  I got ticked at the guys in the gun shops and at the range.  Not sure if the numbers at the end are still good, but you get the idea.

GET OFF YOUR COMPLACENCY AND DO YOUR PART!

In California there are at least 6,000,000 firearms owners, yet we
have some of the most draconian and Byzantine firearms laws in the
country. Why? Because too many of us are content to sit and complain
but are unwilling to take half an hour a week to do anything about it.

Most of us would rather stand around at the range or in a gun shop
and spend a couple of hours debating the merits of .300 Magnum over
the latest .270 super short ultra mag. Can you find five minutes a
day to support your civil rights? That is all it takes. If you can't
give that little amount of time, you deserve to have your guns
legislated away from you.

Imagine if in your assembly district EVERY
gun owner called his or her assembly member once a week to complain
about restrictive firearms legislation. Say there are only 15,000 gun
owners in your district (with 80 districts that comes to 1.2 million,
a far cry from all the legal gun owners in the state) and each one
makes a call once a week which takes 3 minutes of staff time. It
would take 750 man-hours per WEEK just to listen to gun owners
complain about restrictive gun laws. That would mean that every
member of the Assembly would need almost 19 full time staff members to
do nothing but pay attention to our calls. Think they might hear us?
After all, politicians are concerned with numbers.

There are five calls you need to make each week – to one assembly
member, one state senator, one member of the House of Representatives,
and two members of the US Senate. That is what it will take, each of
us calling once a week to make our views known.

Yes, you may belong to the NRA or Gun Owners of America, or the
California Rifle and Pistol Association, but so what? Do you think
that absolves you from taking personal responsibility for what
happens? YOU are responsible for protecting your rights. No one else
can do it for you.


US SENATE
Barbara Boxer, (415) 403-0100, web site – www.senate.gov/~boxer
Dianne Feinstein, (415) 393-0707, web site – www.senate.gov/~feinstein

Go to www.ca.gov and
you can easily find your state representatives. There are also links
there for your federal representatives.

Feel free to copy this, modify it to suit your situation, use it, distribute it.