Democrats in state legislatures are ramping up their war on American gun owners, with new bans targeting the trusty AR-15 that has law professor Jonathan Turley warning the Supreme Court might have no choice but to step in and put a stop to this madness.
Take Virginia, where on March 10, lawmakers pushed through a sweeping prohibition on the sale, transfer, and possession of AR-15s along with other semiautomatic shotguns, pistols, and rifles.
The measure squeaked by thanks to a grandfather clause, letting folks who already own these firearms legally hold onto them even after the ban kicks in.
But over in Minnesota, things are getting even more heavy-handed, as state Sen. Matt Klein is championing a similar crackdown with a nasty twist.
Under his proposal, current owners could only keep their guns if they sign off on letting law enforcement agents waltz into their homes to check if they’re storing the weapons properly.
Turley has singled out this Minnesota scheme for special criticism, pointing out its invasive nature:
“What makes the Minnesota law so distinctive is the provision on home inspections. The law states that, in addition to securing state permission or certification for the possession of existing weapons, owners must “agree to allow the appropriate law enforcement agency to inspect the storage of the device to ensure compliance with this subdivision.”
He went on to explain the full picture of this power grab:
“So new sales of these models would be banned, while existing weapons could only be retained if owners agree to home inspections. It is part of an overall assault on gun rights not just to limit models but to add layers of regulation for those who wish to retain their weapons.”
This stands in stark contrast to the clear protections laid out by the highest court in the land over the past decade and more.
“We have a Second Amendment protection of gun ownership, with over 490 million guns in private hands, as of 2022. In 2008, the Supreme Court handed down a landmark ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller, recognizing the Second Amendment as encompassing an individual right to bear arms. The Supreme Court further strengthened the right in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen.”
At the center of the Democrats’ crosshairs sits the AR-15, America’s favorite firearm by a long shot.
“The number of [AR-15s] in private hands is continuing to rise rapidly, with one AR-15 purchased in every five new firearms sales. These AR-15s clearly are not being purchased for armored deer,” Turley continued.
“Many are purchased for personal and home protection; it is also popular for target shooting and hunting. Many gun owners like the AR-15 because it is modular; depending on the model, you can swap out barrels, bolts, and high-capacity magazines, or add a variety of accessories.”
Everyday patriots cherish this versatile tool for defending their families and enjoying the great outdoors, yet blue-state politicians treat it like a threat instead of a right.
Turley believes these aggressive state-level moves by Democrats “will, hopefully, compel the Court to accept review of these laws and bring greater clarity on the scope of this individual right.”
