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Today, the Supreme Court of the United States will make the decisions whether or not to hear at least three significant cases concerning U.S. citizens' Constitutionally provided rights. If any of the cases are heard, the very hot debate of how the Second Amendment to the Constitution is interpreted by the judicial branch of our government could be considered settled...or could get even hotter. Update: It has been announced that the Justices have declined to hear any of the below cases. NRA v. BATFE This case has been presented and appealed by the National Rifle Association, and contends that where minors are allowed to own handguns they should be allowed to purchase them at age 18. Currently, federal law prohibits the purchase of a handgun by anyone younger than 21. NRA v. BATFE was heard by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, both of which upheld the federal restriction. Drake v. Filko This lawsuit attempts to reverse a ban on the carrying of handguns outside the home in the state of New Jersey. The U.S. District Court, New Jersey, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals have both upheld the state's law...but between the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals' bodyslam of Illionois' concealed weapons ban and a more recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that struck down California's "may issue" wording for the San Diego jurisdiction, Drake v. Filko may have the boost of confidence it needs. Welling v. BATFE (unconfirmed name) Amanda Welling moved from Texas to Washington, DC, and found that the only listed Federal Firearms License holder in the District had closed shop. She was therefore unable to legally transfer her handgun - the proper way - to her new home (she could not transport it personally because of the double-stack magazines - it's a Glock). We'll update this post with the court's decision. Until then, click "Read More" to check out some more cases that may reach the Supreme Court this year. |
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Image credit: CBS News