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Statement By NRA Chief Lobbyist, James J. Baker, On The Decision By The 5th Circuit Court Of Appeals

Wednesday, October 17, 2001

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is gratified by the decision of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that clearly reaffirms the accurate interpretation of the Second Amendment; that it protects the right of individuals to privately possess and bear their own firearms.

This is clear corroboration of what reputable historians and constitutional scholars have said consistently; that the Second Amendment, like other rights, is an individual right designed to protect rights of the people, not to expand the powers of government. The Court’s clear rejection of “collective rights” theories should put an end to further politically charged efforts by special interest groups to undermine the clear intent of our founders as expressed in the Bill of Rights.

The Emerson case represented the culmination of years of efforts by the Clinton-Gore Administration to undermine Americans’ Second Amendment rights. When the Clinton Justice Department argued in the 5th Circuit that there is no individual right, we took that argument to America’s millions of gun owners to underscore the stakes of Election 2000. And they denied Al Gore the White House because of it.

Now, our client -- the Second Amendment -- has had its day in court. And the Second Amendment has emerged victorious as well. NRA members and all of America’s law-abiding gun owners can be equally proud of this victory as they were in helping elect a pro-Second Amendment President and Vice-President last November.

Read the court`s decision

 

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Out-of-Touch Mayor Learns the Hard Way Michiganders Like Guns and Dogs

News  

Monday, March 2, 2026

Out-of-Touch Mayor Learns the Hard Way Michiganders Like Guns and Dogs

“The NRA is going to be mad at me.”  So said David LaGrand (D), mayor of the second largest city in the state of Michigan. We don’t get mad, however, when firearm prohibitionists reveal their true ...

Gunmakers Petition High Court to Halt Illegitimate Attacks on Firearms Industry

News  

Monday, March 2, 2026

Gunmakers Petition High Court to Halt Illegitimate Attacks on Firearms Industry

In recent months, NRA-ILA has impressed upon gun owners the severe danger to Second Amendment rights posed by efforts to undermine the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). 

NRA Announces Third Lawsuit Challenging the National Firearms Act

Thursday, February 26, 2026

NRA Announces Third Lawsuit Challenging the National Firearms Act

Today, the National Rifle Association announced the filing of a third lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). The case, Roberts v. ATF, was filed in the U.S. District Court for ...

Virginia Gun Owners Face Magazine Confiscation!

Monday, February 2, 2026

Virginia Gun Owners Face Magazine Confiscation!

Astute Virginia gun owners anticipated terrible gun control legislation from the 2026 General Assembly. Still, some may be shocked to learn that anti-rights zealots in the Virginia Senate have advanced a bill to CONFISCATE standard capacity firearm ...

Iowa: Senate Strips Carry Protections for Iowans, Expands Its Own Authority

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Iowa: Senate Strips Carry Protections for Iowans, Expands Its Own Authority

Yesterday, on the Senate floor, SF 2263 was amended, at the last minute, to remove key provisions that would have expanded protections for law-abiding gun owners before the bill ultimately passed. Click the Take Action button ...

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Virginia: Multiple Gun Control Bills Advance in Senate

On Monday, January 26th, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee advanced a slate of gun control bills targeting semi-automatic firearms, standard capacity magazines, carry rights, home storage, and more.

California: Lawmakers Introduce New Bill that Would Censor Private 3-D Printers

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

California: Lawmakers Introduce New Bill that Would Censor Private 3-D Printers

Last week marked the deadline for bill introductions in the California Legislature. As we anticipated in our previous alert, anti-gun lawmakers used this opportunity to file additional measures aimed at further restricting the rights of ...

Virginia: Gun Bill Updates As Crossover Deadline Arrives

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Virginia: Gun Bill Updates As Crossover Deadline Arrives

Today, February 17th is the legislative crossover deadline in Virginia, and any bills that have not left their chamber of origin by the end of the day are considered dead for the session.

Colorado: Gun Bill Votes In Both Chambers TODAY

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Colorado: Gun Bill Votes In Both Chambers TODAY

Today, February 24th, both chambers of the legislature will hold votes on anti-gun legislation. Please contact your legislators and urge them to OPPOSE HB 26-1144 and SB 26-043 by using the TAKE ACTION buttons below.

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Veto Override Vote Postponed

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Veto Override Vote Postponed

Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives rescheduled this morning’s veto override on Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to February 9, 2026.

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NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.