Bellevue, WA -(AmmoLand.com)- Four leading gun rights organizations today 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 right 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.”
Second Amendment Foundation ( www.saf.org ) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing, and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
California Gun Rights Foundation ( www.cagunrights.org ) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves its members, supporters, and the public through educational, cultural, and judicial efforts to advance Second Amendment and related civil rights.
Firearms Policy Coalition ( www.firearmspolicy.org ) is a 501(c)4 grassroots nonprofit organization. FPC’s mission is to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, especially the fundamental, individual Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom.
National Rifle Association ( www.nra.org ) is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. More than five million members strong, NRA continues to uphold the Second Amendment and advocates enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the armed services.
Second Amendment Foundation
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
Sue them AND hold them accountable for everyone who is assaulted, raped or murdered because in part they were not allowed their GOD given, constitutionally protected, unalienable right to keep and bear arms. Assault, rape and murder by proxy is still assault, rape and murder. They are every bit as culpable as the criminal perpetrator in these acts be cause they have empowered them. As a husband, as a father, anyone who would empower someone who has such hurt my family, I will personally hold that person accountable for the harm that was done. After decades of seeing criminals in… Read more »
Let’s suspend local and state governments, the Constitution is older than any of that make believe tyranny.
I am praying that this case gets put in front of judge that has read the Constitution of the United States and understands what it says. I hope you guys kick the teeth in of Gavin Newsom and The Peoples Republik of Kalifornia!!!
@Nobody, Well, it will be in the Ninth Circuit. Trump’s judicial appointments have not been numerous enough to change temperament of that circuit, yet.
@WB – I had the impression that Trump’s appointees have actually had a dramatic impact on that court. Of course that impression may have been made by liberals whining about a crack in their absolute control over those several states. Be nice if SCOTUS didn’t have to continuously correct an entire circuit.
What took so long? These people should be sued. These people should be PROSECUTED AS TRAITORS. Tyranny and treason both have something in common, they both warrant the death penalty and rightfully so. The courts should have their chance to revive the Constitution as the uppermost law of the land. IF it does it MIGHT avert the coming rebellion against socialism/communism. IF it does not, then the American citizen will “vote” them out of office and nail their slice to a tree someplace, that same tree that Jefferson said would have to be refreshed.
Arm up, carry on.
This reminds me of some of the stories in the BIBLE. The ones just before GOD gets angry. I would not make a habit of standing anywhere near this guy or anyone who goes along with him.
Arm up, carry on.
Now is better than earlier. We needed at least a slim majority on SCOTUS who actually support the Constitution rather than reinterpret to fit personal preferences.
@USA — I knew that about their badges, and have always wondered why they don’t change it. I’m sure there are good cops behind those very same badges that have no idea what those reascending triangles represent. What it stood for at one time, no longer has the same meaning it used to: especially to those who wear that badge today. Unless, of course, that’s what they really do with their spare time. Interesting note: The the 45th Infantry Division of the US Army in 1930 was wearing the swastika as their insignia. They only let it go and moved… Read more »
Watch out, nra is gonna put out their own notification about this and they’ll leave out all the other orgs who sued too, taking all the credit for themselves, then they’ll ask for some change. Beggers.
Too bad they can’t be held personally responsible for their actions. As it is the cases will be handed off the the CA legal teams and the citizens will get to foot the bill.
Good work. Lot of good organizations suing the violators. But Andrew Cuomo again gets a free pass. Seems everyone is afraid of Cuomo.
Good organizations plus NRA along for the ride and credit. Wayne probably added NRA to the list, since we was flying in his private jet to LA for shopping on Rodeo Drive for some more $5,000 suits. This time, it’s not on my dime, though.