Weekly Spotlight 5/23/24 – 5/30/24
With Longer Police Response Times, More Americans Are Taking Safety Into Their Own Hands
Last week when two masked men broke into the home of a Chicago mother, her first reaction was to call 911. Once she was able to speak with an emergency dispatcher, she was told that local police had no units available to send to her location. The voice on the other line then suggested she call her local representative to ask for additional police funding to more adequately meet the needs of the community.
In the face of danger, being able to count on the police to respond on time is something we oftentimes take for granted. However, in recent years, longer-than-usual police response times have plagued many cities across the countries. This is no fault of the police – law enforcement can not be everywhere at all times, nor would we want them to be.
In this new reality, the burden may fall on Americans to be the first line of defense for themselves and their loved ones until first responders can arrive. Many are heeding this as a call to action, exercising their Second Amendment rights and arming themselves. There are numerous examples in Chicago over the last several years where concealed carry license holders defended themselves from violent robberies and neutralized their attackers. In fact, there are now roughly 450,000 CCL holders in Illinois alone, and that number continues to grow. Mirroring this trend, the USCCA has also seen an increased demand for education and training resources, which empowers individuals to be proactive in their self-defense.
This is thanks in part to pro-gun lawmakers across the country who work to ensure these freedoms are protected. Illinois is a Castle Doctrine state, meaning law-abiding citizens are under no legal duty to retreat if threatened, and using deadly force is justified to defend yourself or another against a criminal’s imminent use of unlawful force. Anyone who assumes the responsibility of self-protection to be trained and educated in the use of their firearm. The USCCA stands ready and willing to help Americans become better equipped to exercise these rights safely.
OTHER NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Arkansas Federal Judge Yet To Rule On Lawsuit Over ATF Rule To Restrict Some Gun Show Weapons Sales
An Arkansas federal judge has yet to issue a ruling in a lawsuit filed by the state of Kansas and joined by Arkansas and 19 other states contesting a rule by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that went into effect on Monday that critics claim will create a legal nightmare for Americans.
- Associated Press: Supreme Court Declines To Hear Challenge To Maryland Ban On Rifles Known As Assault Weapons
The Supreme Court on Monday declined, for now, to hear a challenge to a Maryland law banning certain semi-automatic firearms commonly referred to as assault weapons. The court did not elaborate on the denial, as is typical. It would have been unusual for the justices to take up a case at this point, since a lower court is still weighing it. The Supreme Court is also considering an appeal over a similar law in Illinois. It did not act Monday on that case, which could be another avenue to take up the issue.
- The Texan: Cornyn Files Resolution To Block ATF ‘Gun Show Loophole,’ Bill Repealing Tax On NFA Firearms
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) took up two pieces of Second Amendment-related legislation this week, filing a resolution of disapproval aiming to shoot down a proposed rule by the Biden administration to require federal firearms licenses (FFL) for most private gun sales, and a separate bill seeking to relax taxes imposed on firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) proposed a rule that greatly expands the circumstances in which someone is required to hold an FFL in order to sell a firearm, and when someone must conduct a background check on a potential buyer. In proposing the rule, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said its purpose was to finalize the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), legislation authored by Cornyn that passed in 2022. However, Cornyn says the rule violates congressional intent.
The Second Amendment Foundation has filed a reply brief with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in its challenge of the “Final Rule” issued by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regarding arm braces for pistols. In 2023, SAF won, in part, a preliminary injunction in the case. Last August, in a 2-1 ruling, a Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel said the rule was “likely illegal” because the government had violated the Administrative Procedures Act by adopting the rule without meaningful opportunity for public comment.
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