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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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Virginia: House Continues Gun Control Push Giving Public Minimal Notice Before Vote

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Virginia: House Continues Gun Control Push Giving Public Minimal Notice Before Vote

Today, the Virginia House of Delegates added half a dozen gun control bills to the floor agenda for votes and promptly passed the bills giving little notice to the public.

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 ...

New Mexico: Senate Committee to Passes Sweeping Gun Control Bill

Thursday, February 5, 2026

New Mexico: Senate Committee to Passes Sweeping Gun Control Bill

Last night, the New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee passed an omnibus gun control package that would severely undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding New Mexicans and threaten the viability of local firearm retailers. We ...

Virginia: Senate Passes Excise Tax as Semi-Auto Ban Advances

Friday, February 6, 2026

Virginia: Senate Passes Excise Tax as Semi-Auto Ban Advances

On Friday, February 6th, the Senate passed Senate Bill 763, which imposes an 11% excise tax on the sale of all firearms and ammunition "by a dealer in firearms, firearms manufacturer, or ammunition vendor," and designates all ...

Connecticut: Draconian Pistol Ban Introduced in Hartford

Friday, February 6, 2026

Connecticut: Draconian Pistol Ban Introduced in Hartford

As a new legislative session begins in Connecticut, it certainly feels like Groundhog Day again as Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled his latest swipe at law-abiding gun owners.  The state’s Chief Executive came out of the ...

Unnecessary Roughness: NFL Player Hit with Felony Arrest for Lawfully Owned Gun

News  

Monday, February 2, 2026

Unnecessary Roughness: NFL Player Hit with Felony Arrest for Lawfully Owned Gun

One bill has stood above the rest for decades as NRA-ILA’s top federal priority, and the New York City Metro area has once again shown why.

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.

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.

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Virginia: More Gun Control Introduced in General Assembly

The 2026 Virginia legislative session is underway, and lawmakers are continuing their assault on your Second Amendment rights.

New Mexico: Sweeping Gun Control Bill Passes Senate

Sunday, February 8, 2026

New Mexico: Sweeping Gun Control Bill Passes Senate

Last night, the New Mexico Senate passed an omnibus gun control package by a vote of 21 to 17 that would severely undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding New Mexicans and threaten the viability ...

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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.