“This case is not about extraordinary weapons lying at the outer limits of Second Amendment protection,” Benitez wrote. “The banned ‘assault weapons’ are not bazookas, howitzers, or machineguns. Those arms are dangerous and solely useful for military purposes. Instead, the firearms deemed ‘assault weapons’ are fairly ordinary, popular, modern rifles…Good for both home and battle, the AR-15 is the kind of versatile gun that lies at the intersection of the kinds of firearms protected under District of Columbia v. Heller and United States v. Miller. Yet, the State of California makes it a crime to have an AR15 type rifle. Therefore, this Court declares the California statutes to be unconstitutional.” — Judge Roger T. Benitez
In Episode 184 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses California Judge Roger T. Benitez’s ruling the state’s assault weapons ban is unconstitutional, with a court recognizing for the first time AR-15s are constitutionally protected under the Second Amendment. Plus, she discusses Alaska Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang’s op-ed in Anchorage Daily News in defense of hunting rights on federal public lands in the Last Frontier.
SHOW NOTES
The Reload’s Coverage of Benitez’s Opinion
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Photo Credit: Gabriella Hoffman