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NRA Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Challenge to ATF’s “Frame or Receiver” Rule

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

NRA Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Challenge to ATF’s “Frame or Receiver” Rule

On August 20, NRA filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in a challenge to the ATF’s Final Rule that redefines the Gun Control Act of 1968’s definition of “firearm” to include precursors of frames or receivers and weapon parts kits.

The Gun Control Act allows for the regulation and taxation of certain “firearms.” The Act includes in its definition of “firearm” “any weapon . . . which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive” and “the frame or receiver of any such weapon.”

The ATF’s Final Rule, which intended to address privately made firearms—sometimes called “ghost guns”—expanded the definition of “frame or receiver” to include “a partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional frame or receiver” and expanded the definition of “firearm” to include a “weapon parts kit.”

The Final Rule was challenged, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that the ATF exceeded its authority by essentially rewriting the law.

NRA’s brief argues that the Final Rule infringes upon the constitutionally protected right to privately build firearms. It provides a detailed historical analysis explaining that gunmaking by private individuals was a celebrated craft in colonial America; privately made firearms were essential to the Americans’ success in the Revolutionary War; the Founders intended to protect private gunmaking in the Second Amendment; many of the greatest innovations in firearms technology derived from amateur gunsmiths; and that there were no historical restrictions on private gunmaking. In short, as Thomas Jefferson explained, “Our citizens have always been free to make . . . arms.”

You can read the brief, filed in Garland v. VanDerStok, here.

Please stay tuned to www.nraila.org for future updates on NRA-ILA’s ongoing efforts to defend your constitutional rights.

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MA Supreme Judicial Court Holds Old Nonresident Carry Licensing Scheme Unconstitutional But Upholds New Law

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

MA Supreme Judicial Court Holds Old Nonresident Carry Licensing Scheme Unconstitutional But Upholds New Law

On March 11, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts issued two decisions concerning the Commonwealth’s firearms carry licensing scheme for nonresidents.

Washington Post Admits that Anti-gun Lawfare “Cannot be the Solution” to Crime

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Monday, March 17, 2025

Washington Post Admits that Anti-gun Lawfare “Cannot be the Solution” to Crime

In a turnabout worthy of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Washington Post (WAPO) published an editorial last Tuesday criticizing the gun control movement for ignoring the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) and pursing its agenda in ...

Canada: A Fresh Gun Ban as Trudeau Exits

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Monday, March 17, 2025

Canada: A Fresh Gun Ban as Trudeau Exits

Just three months ago, Canada’s Liberal government announced that an additional 324 so-called “assault-style” firearms had been added to the list of banned guns established under then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2020.

VPC Recycles Old Campaign Against .50 Caliber Rifles

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Monday, March 17, 2025

VPC Recycles Old Campaign Against .50 Caliber Rifles

It’s been some time since we have talked about one of the oldest, most extreme anti-gun organizations, the Violence Policy Center (VPC).  Back in 2022, we noted the organization wanted then-president Joe Biden’s administration to reclassify ...

Washington Post Gets It Almost Right About Restoration of Second Amendment Rights

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Monday, March 17, 2025

Washington Post Gets It Almost Right About Restoration of Second Amendment Rights

Last week brought yet another installment in the ongoing saga of The Washington Post’s (WAPO) pivot toward “individual liberties and free markets” in its opinion section.

Washington: Gun-Free Zone Expansion Bill Scheduled for Hearing on Tuesday

Friday, March 14, 2025

Washington: Gun-Free Zone Expansion Bill Scheduled for Hearing on Tuesday

On Tuesday, March 18th, the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 5098, a gun-free zone expansion bill. The hearing has been set for 10:30AM.

NRA Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Second Amendment Rights

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Second Amendment  

Friday, February 7, 2025

NRA Statement on President Trump’s Executive Order Protecting Second Amendment Rights

Today, the White House announced a new Executive Order to protect and expand the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans. This is the first action taken by President Donald J. Trump to carry through ...

Vermont: Crossover Day Defeats All Anti-Gun Bills for 2025

Friday, March 14, 2025

Vermont: Crossover Day Defeats All Anti-Gun Bills for 2025

Today, March 14th, is  the "crossover" deadline in the Vermont legislature. Bills that fail to advance out of the chamber of origin are considered "dead" for the session.

Grassroots Spotlight: Freedom Firearm & Defense

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Monday, March 17, 2025

Grassroots Spotlight: Freedom Firearm & Defense

Throughout the State of Texas, you will almost always find yourself within proximity of a Shooting Range or Gun Store. 

Colorado: FOID Bill Passes House Judiciary With More Amendments

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Colorado: FOID Bill Passes House Judiciary With More Amendments

Yesterday, March 11th, Senate Bill 25-003 underwent another transformation during a late-night hearing in the House Judiciary committee, ultimately passing with amendments along a party-line vote. 

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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.