Second Amendment Foundation, NRA, CGRF & FPC to California: Not Today, Satan
As the Coronavirus spreads across America, the nation’s gun-grabbers have been working overtime to shutter gun stores–often targeting these businesses long before requiring other retail establishments to close–but there’s good news to be found even now. Although the gun-grabbers of the world are doing their best to “never let a crisis go to waste,” it turns out that our nation’s leading gun-rights organizations are standing together as one to deliver one vital message to the anti-gunners: Not today, Satan.
Although the rebuke may not be quite as stinging as the Virgin Mary landing a knuckle sandwich on Old Scratch (as depicted above), it’s almost as satisfying to watch. On March 30, four leading gun rights organizations filed a lawsuit in federal court against California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, alleging both state and local policies and enforcement practices violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendment rights of their citizens.
Joining in the lawsuit are the Second Amendment Foundation, National Rifle Association, California Gun Rights Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. A copy of the complaint may be read here.
“California’s attack on fundamental rights in times of emergency must be stopped in its tracks,” observed SAF founder and Executive Vice President, Alan Gottlieb. “This case is part of our mission to win firearms freedom one lawsuit at a time. And more, the lawsuits we are filing across the country are making a large number of other states, counties, and cities think twice before closing down essential gun stores.”
“Twenty-eight years ago, the LAPD had to withdraw their officers to protect their safety,” added CGF Chairman, Gene Hoffman. “We hope that the stay-home orders will mean that our public servants will not become infected in this pandemic, but the Constitution guarantees that everyone has a right to acquire arms and defend themselves should law enforcement not be able to respond before it’s too late. No petty autocrat can be allowed to suspend the Bill of Rights.”
“Municipalities and states that target lawful gun stores for closure aren’t promoting safety,” noted commented NRA-ILA Executive Director, Jason Ouimet. “By weaponizing their politics to disarm you and your loved ones, these shameless partisans are wantonly promoting a gun-control agenda that suffocates your Second Amendment rights when you need them most. NRA members recognize these unlawful power-grabs for what they are, and the National Rifle Association is proud to stand and fight alongside fellow Second Amendment groups who recognize it as well.”
“Especially due to the restrictive nature of California’s Byzantine gun laws that require the use of licensed dealers to buy and transfer both firearms and ammunition, the defendants’ orders and actions challenged individually and collectively violate the Constitution and individuals’ fundamental rights to keep and bear arms and due process of law,” explained attorney and FPC Director of Legal Strategy, Adam Kraut. “These irrational and outrageous fiat restrictions cannot withstand constitutional scrutiny and must be enjoined from enforcement.”
“California’s State and local governments cannot simply suspend the Constitution,” FPC President Brandon Combs said. “This case is one of many actions FPC is taking around the United States to fight for liberty and freedom. The entire FPC team has been and will remain all-hands-on-deck, working around the clock on important efforts to safeguard the People’s individual liberties and property, especially the rights to keep and bear arms, free speech, privacy, and due process. FPC is fully committed to uniting the advocacy space and partnering with organizations and law firms around the country to fight government abuses and defend the People’s right to defend their lives and homes. We especially wish to recognize and thank our incredible members and supporters who make all of our legal action, research, and grassroots activism programs possible.”
This is one of several legal actions filed in recent days in which SAF is a plaintiff.
“These lawsuits,” Gottlieb stated, “are making a large number of other states, counties and cities think twice before closing down essential gun stores.”
Gottlieb chose not to add, “Not today, Satan. Not today,” but I’m here to do it for him.
If ever, now is the time for the 2A. letting criminals loose, looters, LEO’s getting sick, the common citizen needs protection! A question…..Where did the Dems disappear to since the crises started? All I see is Republicans out working and trying to do something about it. I guess they care only about themselves and not the American people!!!
Hopefully by the time this reaches the 9th circus, The President will have replaced the left wing majority therein with a more sensible non political judiciary.
Maine’s Governor needs some guidance on the Constitution as well.
Let us not forget New Mexico, who despite having the 4th by per capita State citizen ownership of firearms has been overwhelmed by refugees from the States mentioned above, who combined with the traditional powerful Democratic machine, has turned the state progressive, for now, and the Governor is willfully ignoring the Trump directive and continues to have shut down all Gun Shops, who don’t seem to have the resources to fight it in a State controlled by Democratic Judges. I hope a National Organization steps up soon to fight the Governor.
You need to come to Arizona and spend some time with the Arizona Citizens Defense League and get organized on the state level. That is what works. You are way behind the power curve because millions ave been poured in to NM to start astro turf groups like Moms Demand Action. Look to the example of California. A lot of the fools waiting in line to buy a gun were caught completely unaware of long standing state law effectively destroying their right to keep and bear arms. These are long standing residents who have voted there for decades and they were asleep at the wheel. I know this because I was stationed there in the military and joined the California Rifle and Pistol Association. Working gun shows and teaching classes there I soon realized that the vast majority of people in CA as well as my native Washington were asleep at the wheel while progressives and leftists eroded their rights one step at a time. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. Those who slumber drag down the liberty of those who fight for liberty. So, stop complaining and get organizing. AZCDL is currently 17,000 active members state wide. Very active. They were started in a garage in Tucson by three guys who saw the threat in 2005. So, your excuse for not acting is?
@N.R.Ringlee You are correct. People here in CA is complacent for a long time. I am hopeful this recent event with government at all levels releasing felons, closing down gun shops, and restriction on access to firearms and ammunition will be a wake up call. If not, then I wish them all good luck.
As an AZ vendor told me last year at a gun show, “you need to pack up your babies and come to a free state.” He meant my kids and hardware. It’s time for me to move out to AZ on a 40-acre homestead. Once there, the hardware need some serious medical treatment to remove CA caused birth defects.
I read today that President Trump has declared all firearms manufacturers and dealers as essential businesses. Let’s see what kind of results this will have on the communist states of Kalifornia, New York and Virginia. God bless the United States. God bless President Trump and his family.
Absolutely right. All Constitutionally recognized and guaranteed rights must be afford the population of this country. The presence of a pestilence cannot justify the removal of these rights because these rights are not granted by the state (merely recognized by the state). The rights are granted, first by God, and then, by the laws of nature.