#Law

Possibly the most influential Supreme Court decision of this term is much bigger of a deal than it sounds like at first. For decades, courts have been limited in their ability to review the actions of executive agencies due to a case called Chevron. That has now ended. This article will briefly explain what administrative law is, what the Chevron case did, and how the Loper Bright case has changed the landscape.

The ATF published (yet another) new administrative rule that impacts many American gun owners. We previously covered the “engaged in the business” rule when it was proposed last year. The final version of that rule is now published, but it has already been stayed by a judge. Let’s look at what this rule says, and who it applies to.

Once again, a lawsuit against a rule made by the ATF is headed to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). Garland v. VanDerStok challenges the ATF’s administrative rule that declared firearm kits and partially-manufactured receivers were firearms. This follows hot on the heels of oral arguments in Cargill, the case fighting the bump stock ban. 

Utah just unveiled a new system that allows private individuals to check information that was previously only accessible to law enforcement or dealers. This free Private Party Firearm Sale Serial And CFP Check Tool provides useful information for private-party transactions. I’ve used it, and am excited to show how it works. 

Ah, the scene of the gun “buyback.” For now, let’s leave aside the question as to how something can be “bought back” when the buyers never sold it to begin with. Instead, focus on the inanities that play out where the rubber meets the road, as things get more and more silly at the buying table. A prime example is a California event in early December, where media and law enforcement trumpeted the purchase of what appeared to be an LAW.

It’s that time (yet again) when we need to dig into a newly proposed ATF Rule. This time their target is expanding the definition of “engaged in the business” of gun dealing. So might you be a gun dealer under this potential rule? Possibly.

The Honorable Judge David Herrera Urias has blocked the New Mexico gun ban. This is a temporary measure, but this bodes well for the future. Let’s look at what this order did (and did not) do.

The drama continues with the New Mexico gun ban. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s order is so wildly out of line with the current law that her Attorney General is refusing to defend it in court. If that sounds like a pretty serious rebuke, that’s because it is. 

The U.S. House of Representatives passes House Joint Resolution 44 on June 13th. What does this mean for owners of pistol braces? Is this really that big of a deal?

A lawsuit spearheaded by the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) has secured a preliminary injunction against the ATF arm brace ban. What exactly does that mean? And who does that apply to? This is all still a little unclear, but let’s take a look at this case and what might be on the horizon.

The 2022 Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) session resulted in several decisions impacting gun ownership. What exactly these cases mean and how they will impact gun regulation in America is not totally clear, but some points are fairly certain. An in-depth discussion of the nuance of these cases would be an entire book, and is far beyond the scope of one article. We will instead keep this a surface-level discussion.

A recent bill put forward by the Ohio Senate has recently passed with a 21 to 10 vote. Senate Bill 317 would allow school personnel like teachers to be armed while inside school if it is authorized by the local school board.

A New Zeland man was caught earlier this year with a loaded replica pistol and live ammunition during a flight from Picton NZ to Wellington when it was discovered in a routine security scan. The passenger – Derek Ruait admitted that he was unlawfully carrying the pistol when he was confronted while trying to board his Air New Zeland flight.

This morning, August 14th, 2020, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down California’s law against magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Those who have been following this case for some time may recall that back in March 2019 the Honorable Judge Benitez temporarily struck down California Penal Code section 32310. This is the section of California law that relates to magazine capacity limits. Specifically, it makes it illegal to have any “large-capacity magazine”.  Punishments ranged from a $100 fine per magazine up to a year in county jail. That ruling resulted in “Freedom Week”, also known as the California Airlift or the Great California Magazine Rush, before the ruling was stayed pending a hearing by the 9th Circuit.

Early on Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA) vs. New York City. Unfortunately for those hoping for a big decision in favor of gun rights, it seems unlikely.