Tag Archives: Second Amendment

The U.S. Senate today rejected a bill that would have closed a major loophole in federal gun laws by subjecting firearm purchases made at gun shows and online to background checks. Currently, only purchases made from federally licensed  gun dealers require that buyers be cleared through the  FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Analysts estimate that 40 percent of all gun sales are not subjected to checks.  The background check amendment received a majority 54-46 vote in favor, but …

In Woollard v. Gallagher, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled that the Second Amendment does not provide an unbridled right to bear arms beyond a person’s home. Furthermore, states can enact laws that require gun permit holders to have good and substantial reasons to wear, carry or transport firearms. The Court pointed out that limiting the carrying of guns in public protects people and reduces crime for the reasons shown in the Lawyers.com infographic below:

After voters in Louisiana overwhelmingly approved an amendment to their state constitution making gun ownership a “fundamental right,” the case of a convicted felon who says he should be able to have a gun is headed for the state Supreme Court to test how expansive that right is.   Felons Have Rights, Too  A state judge on Mar. 21 reportedly ruled in favor of Glen Draughter, a convicted felon caught in a car with guns in violation of a state …

Ray Woollard will have to keep his guns at home, now that the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Maryland can legally require him to state a “good and substantial reason” to carry a loaded handgun in public. He didn’t have a good reason and his request for a conceal carry permit was denied. The new appeals court ruling in Maryland marked the third time in four months that the federal courts have shot down attacks on …

A Maryland “may issue” concealed carry law that was struck down by a district court last year has been restored by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court said that it was not weighing in on whether Second Amendment rights extend outside the home; rather that the state law meets the scrutiny for restricting the right in the name of public safety regardless. The lawsuit was originally brought by the Second Amendment Foundation on behalf of Raymond …