We’re days away from a showdown with Kathy Hochul!
On March 20, I will be on hand in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan as we ask a 3-judge panel to strike down the gun control law that Kathy Hochul signed into law last year.
As you know, everything is on the line.
That’s why I am proud to announce that — thanks to your support — NYSFA’s legal team has finished our Amicus Brief in this case, and it was just accepted by the federal court!
I wanted to write you today for three specific reasons.
First, on behalf of the board of directors, I wanted to thank you for your previous support which enabled us to file this Amicus Brief!
Engaging a top-flight law firm out of Washington D.C. to handle this cost us tens of thousands of dollars. Thank you for making this possible.
Second, I wanted to make sure you knew that we did what we said we were going to do, by filing this brief for you.
There are plenty of groups asking New Yorkers for money to fight in court, who never do anything with that money. NYSFA is NOT like that.
Third, to let you know what is going to come next, and to ask for your continued support.
While nothing is certain where the Federal Courts are concerned, I wanted to make you aware of where things stand.
(To read the NYS Firearms Association Amicus Brief, go here!)
You see, we are preparing for three possible outcomes as this case goes before the 2nd Circuit. The court may agree with us and strike the entire law. The court may agree with us but strike only part of the law. Or the court may uphold the law.
If the court vacates the entirety of Hochul’s gun control law, then we win, and no more action will be needed.
I want that to happen, but I think it’s more likely that we’ll see them overturn portions of the law, while leaving significant portions of it in place.
Yes, that would be a major disappointment. But with this defeat would come a silver lining. You see, losing ANY part of our case in the 2nd Circuit would give us the legal status we need to take this case before the United States Supreme Court!
And honestly, that’s where this case needs to go.
The Supreme Court’s ruling last summer was clear: New York State’s pistol permit law was unconstitutional. They also said that any future gun control law would need to show that it complied with the historical use of firearms in this country.
Instead of complying, Hochul all but gave Justice Clarence Thomas the middle finger when she signed last year’s gun control bill into law — a week after the Bruen decision was finalized.
Far from being in compliance with the historical use of the Second Amendment in this country, Hochul’s law says that:
- All churches, medical facilities, schools, restaurants that serve alcohol, public transportation, parks, playgrounds, libraries, entertainment venues, racetracks, and state parks are ‘Gun Free Zones’ and off limits to gun owners.
- All ammunition sales will require a NICS background check at the point of sale, giving Kathy Hochul a complete list of every round of ammunition you own.
- Anyone who wants to purchase ANY KIND of a semi-automatic rifle will need to obtain a special permit from the State of New York. As far as we know, this includes .22 rifles.
But that’s not even the worst part.
You see, Hochul’s law also makes you a FELON FOR LIFE for carrying a firearm in any commercial building in the state, unless that business puts up signs explicitly authorizing concealed carry on site.
There is no way to deal with this in Albany, obviously.
We need to fight this in court.
The good news is that the Amicus Brief is done, and that was a very expensive part of our legal strategy. But if this case moves into the Supreme Court as we expect it to, we’re going to need your help with the next phase.
And even after subtracting what we’ve already raised for this next phase, we’ll need to raise another $48,500.
NYSFA members have been exceptionally generous lately, but I am forced to ask for your help again. Because if this moves into the Supreme Court, we’ll have no time to waste.
>>> If you can donate $500 or more, now is the time. <<<
>>> If you can donate $100 – $500, now is the time. <<<
>>> If you can donate $50 to $100, now is the time. <<<
>>> And if all you can afford is $17.76, now is the time. <<<
Please make a donation for whatever you can afford right away. And I’ll be sure to update you on what happens in Federal Court on March 20!
For New York State,
Aaron Dorr
Executive Director
NYS Firearms Association
