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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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North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Monday, November 17, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

Gun Control Advocates Hope to Create Patchwork of Peril to Suppress Civil Rights

News  

Monday, November 24, 2025

Gun Control Advocates Hope to Create Patchwork of Peril to Suppress Civil Rights

Preemption laws offer legal protection for gun owners, but only when they are enforced.

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

Monday, October 13, 2025

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

For someone who has claimed to be"...deeply mindful and respectful of the Second Amendment and people’s Constitutional rights,” Governor Gavin Newsom has once again proven that actions speak louder than words.

Ruger Next Target in Threat-Based Gun Control

News  

Monday, November 17, 2025

Ruger Next Target in Threat-Based Gun Control

The inch was seemingly given, so it is not surprising to see pursuit of the mile.

Ninth Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to California’s Ammunition Background Check Requirement

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Ninth Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to California’s Ammunition Background Check Requirement

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted rehearing en banc in Rhode v. Bonta—a case backed by the National Rifle Association and California Rifle and Pistol Association.

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

A Dozen Towns in New Jersey Have Nullified Carry Permit Fees Through an Initiative Backed by NJFOS, NRA, and CCRKBA.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

A Dozen Towns in New Jersey Have Nullified Carry Permit Fees Through an Initiative Backed by NJFOS, NRA, and CCRKBA.

On November 25th, Howell, in Monmouth County, became the 12th municipality in New Jersey to refund all or substantially all the fees required to obtain a permit to carry. The list now includes towns in ...

Florida: House Judiciary to Hear Pro-Gun Bill Repealing Adult Age Restrictions Tomorrow!

Monday, December 1, 2025

Florida: House Judiciary to Hear Pro-Gun Bill Repealing Adult Age Restrictions Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, December 2nd, at 8:30 AM, the Florida House Judiciary Committee will hear pro-gun House Bill 133, which restores the ability for young adults to lawfully purchase firearms. Use the Take Action link below to contact the ...

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

News  

Friday, July 4, 2025

President Trump Signs the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into Law

Earlier today, on the 4th of July, a day on which our Founding Fathers declared their intent for a free nation, the President of the United State of America, Donald Trump, signed the “One Big ...

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Invalidate Hawaii Carry Restriction

Monday, November 24, 2025

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Invalidate Hawaii Carry Restriction

Today, the National Rifle Association and the Independence Institute filed an amicus brief in Wolford v. Lopez, a case before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging Hawaii’s law that forbids carrying on private property open to the ...

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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.