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June 17, 2009, 07:23 AM | #26 |
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I would love to see the Senate ask Sotomayor about Easterbrook and Posner's novel theories on the outlawing of self-defense. That should make for some entertaining TV.
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June 17, 2009, 10:27 AM | #27 | ||
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Gura's case has been docketed: 08-1521
Title: Otis McDonald, et al., Petitioners v. City of Chicago, Illinois Docketed: June 11, 2009 Lower Ct: United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Case Nos.: (08-4241, 08-4243, 08-4244) Decision Date: June 2, 2009 ~~Date~~ ~~~~~~~Proceedings and Orders~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jun 9 2009 Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 13, 2009) This is Alan Gura's case. The NRA's case for cert (08-4241, 08-4243) is separate from Gura's cert (08-4244). For those that don't follow the "niceties" of this sort of thing, Supreme Court Rule 12.4 allows for the original and separate plaintiffs to file independent certs. So the NRA petition was docketed as case #08-1497 on June 3, 2009. (response due on July 6, 2009). The Court Clerk has included all 3 original cases in both certs, probably for sake of brevity and inclusion as one surviving case. I would like to hope that the NRA would agree to subsume their claim into Gura's claim. The NRA's cert is very weak, on its face. Please note, I'm not disparaging the NRA here. I'm merely observing that they are continuing in their practice of throwing everything they can think of, against the wall, in the hopes that something will stick. It is an all too common practice in law. Compare just the questions being presented by the two certs. First the NRA's question: Quote:
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As to whether or not the Court will grant certiorari, remember that it only requires 4 Justices to agree to take the case for cert to be granted. Bart? Have you heard when the hearings are to be held? |
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June 17, 2009, 01:38 PM | #28 |
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I haven't heard about a hearing; but I imagine the Supreme Court will grant cert on this. There is already a circuit split on the issue and the Court knew this was going to happen when they upheld an individual right in Heller. I imagine most of them have already given some thought to the issue of incorporation.
I also agree with the critique of the NRA's approach vs. Gura. Gura is very clean and precise in his legal writing and he keeps the issue very tightly focused on where he wants it to go. It is clear Gura has paid attention to Brown vs. Board of Education and other civil rights cases in laying the groundwork for this case. The NRA does quality work; but they are going strictly for the win. They seem to be less concerned about creating precedent that might interfere with future cases and more concerned with winning this one by whatever argument they can make stick. Should be an interesting case... I think Halbrook is 3-0 in front of the Supreme Court on gun cases; but Gura certainly impresses me. |
June 17, 2009, 01:46 PM | #29 |
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Is there no way SCOTUS could fast-track this case in the current term?
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June 17, 2009, 04:41 PM | #30 |
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No. The current term is over. The last argument was heard on April 29th.
If cert is granted, I suspect much the same time frame as what we saw with Heller. What would be good, is for the P&I clause to be reinstated (overturning the Slaughterhouse cases). This would please Justice Thomas and sway Justice Scalia. Although that would be a big hurdle to overcome, at the same time, it would be a great win for individual rights in general. |
June 17, 2009, 04:59 PM | #31 |
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http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/us/17guns.html
NY Times had a report on the issue. So it's moving up in public consciousness. The article seems to be positive for incorporation.
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June 17, 2009, 06:34 PM | #32 |
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I'd rather have Gura's question answered Al.
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June 17, 2009, 06:57 PM | #33 | |
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Quote:
I understand the strategy in Heller of limiting the scope of the prayer for relief to the home. But what in the world is the NRA doing carrying that language forward into a much broader case? There are even judges (the Mehl/Gorski panel, for example) who are misreading the scope of the Heller case to be a limitation on the right itself, a misunderstanding which Gorski failed to clarify and that therefore went unchallenged. Or could it be that the various plaintiffs are coordinating a range of requests to give the SCOTUS multiple opportunities to incorporate? I suppose incorporation is incorporation, but it would be very disappointing to come away with a limited ruling because of a meek prayer for relief. Last edited by maestro pistolero; June 17, 2009 at 07:12 PM. |
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June 17, 2009, 10:55 PM | #34 | |
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Quote:
Had Gura attached a laundry list of issues outside the central question, the case may very not have been heard at all. The Court has a limited amount of time and a full itinerary, which is why we have the whole Certiorari process in the first place. Petitions are expected to be kept concise, focused and convincing. In the present, the question is, "should the 2nd Amendment be incorporated through the 14th?" We need to keep it simple and convincing, and I trust Gura to do so. We're reversing 140 years of infringements, and none of this is going to happen overnight. In fact, I'm still amazed how far we've come in one year. Other questions, such as the validity of weapon-specific bans and concealed carry as a right will have to be addressed in their own specific cases, in due time. We're still laying the groundwork with Heller and McDonald, and we have to think in terms of years (or perhaps decades) as we move forward.
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June 17, 2009, 11:36 PM | #35 | |
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The issue of the individual right having already been settled in Heller, what purpose does the NRA's narrowing of the question serve, with respect to incorporation? |
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June 18, 2009, 12:50 AM | #36 | |
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Not sure about the NRA's qualifier. It's likely someone in the ILA thought that narrowing the question that far would help with the argument. Still, I prefer Gura's approach. He's calling for the final nail in the coffin regarding the Slaughterhouse cases, and it's about time. A ruling in our favor along those lines has the potential to affect a lot of future jurisprudence, and not just regarding gun rights. As it is, it appears it's Gura's case going to SCOTUS, and given his prior track record, I'm very encouraged. I can't remember the original source, but Akhil Amar seems fairly confident of a win on this.
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June 18, 2009, 01:59 AM | #37 | |
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Quote:
If the court does equivocate, since that's what judges do sometimes, where would it be? It's hard to imagine with the issues and lines so clearly drawn. Incorporation seems imminent, but will their ruling offer any guidance on so-called reasonable restrictions or will it allow the lower court to fumble around for another term or two? It would be amazing if they came out and preemptively struck roster schemes, discretionary carry (OC, CC, or both), and BS AWBs. Rather than complicate things any further, putting those known issues to bed in the near term would save a lot of time and money for both sides. A lot of folks would be shocked on both sides of the fence but at least we could get on with pulling the country out of it's economic ditch free of one distraction. |
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June 18, 2009, 05:26 AM | #38 |
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If the Court incorporates, I imagine they will stay relatively focused on that issue and give only general guidance (if any) on other issues. I think they will let the Circuit Courts do the hard work of hashing out the boundaries of the right.
I think that if you apply Cardozo's test for incorporation of a right through due process of the 14th Amendment, then there is no way that the Second is not incorporated. It passes that test so clearly it is unassailable: ""[The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects those rights which are] of the very essence of a scheme of ordered liberty. To abolish them is ... to violate a 'principle of justice so rooted in the traditions and conscience of our people as to be ranked as fundamental" You'll note that even the lower court judges that ruled against incorporation didn't want to make the argument that it doesn't pass Cardozo's test (and that test is the foundation of all selective incorporation cases). Instead they just ruled that Presser applied and avoided the question entirely. Having said that, the concept of selective incorporation isn't popular with the conservative wing of the Court either. I can definitely believe that some of the Justices who voted in Heller will be nervous about the consequences of selective incorporation (and especially eliminating the P&I ruling from Slaughterhouse) in this case. |
June 23, 2009, 06:25 PM | #39 |
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Did not see a link to Alan's actual pet for cert... Here it is:
http://www.chicagoguncase.com/wp-con..._petition1.pdf EDIT: The NRA's brief for cert was listed at post #14. Alan Gura's brief was listed in post #20. Antipitas Last edited by Al Norris; June 23, 2009 at 07:55 PM. Reason: Clarification |
June 24, 2009, 11:54 AM | #40 | |
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July 12, 2009, 01:07 PM | #41 |
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To recap what's going on at the moment.
There were two cases that comprised what is being called, NRA v. Chicago. The first case was filed immediately that Heller was decided by Alan Gura, for Otis McDonald, et al. The second case was filed two days later by the NRA. The cases were combined at the District Court and summary judgment to dismiss was granted. The cases were appealed to the 7th Circuit where, on June 2, 2009, the Circuit declined to incorporate and held for the District Court. The NRA filed its petition for certiorari on June 4th and Gura filed his on June 11th. On June 25th, an order extending time to file a response was entered for Chicago. Response is due on Aug. 5th. There are currently 7 amici curiae briefs filed for the petitioners, arguing for a grant of cert, for which I have links. Briefs filed on behalf of both litigants: Brief amicus curiae of Arms Keepers. Brief amicus curiae of California (AG Jerry Brown). Brief amici curiae of Texas, et al (33 States). Brief amici curiae of Institute for Justice, and Cato Institute. Brief amicus curiae of Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation. Briefs filed on behalf of the NRA: Brief amicus curiae of American Civil Rights Union. Briefs filed on behalf of McDonald: The Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountability Center (Law Professors). Note: There are 2 other cert stage briefs, that I could not find links to. One is a brief (I assume) for the NRA by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the other is a brief by State Firearm Associations (again, I presume for the NRA). Should anyone find the links, I would appreciate it, by dropping a note in this thread. A third case, which was decided by the 2nd Circuit on Jan. 28, 2009 was filed by James Maloney on June 29th (extension of time to file granted by Justice Ginsburg). All three cases (McDonald and the NRA cases are asking separate questions) are being petitioned for incorporation of the 2nd amendment, against the States, on Due process and/or the P&I clause of the 14th amendment. The cases in Chicago present the Court with a ban on unregistered handguns and rifles, somewhat similar to that of D.C. It goes further in the nature of the bans. Should a citizens fail to re-register their firearm(s) (an annual requirement), then said firearm may never again be allowed to be registered. No handguns are allowed to be registered after a certain date (like the D.C. prohibition). Certain exceptions are made in the law for those moving into the city, but registration must take place before possession is allowed. All Firearms must be registered prior to possession, no exceptions. In addition to the above, Illinois law states that all firearms owners must complete and be issued a Firearms Owners IDentification certificate (FOID), prior to possessing any firearm. This also must be renewed each year. Each and every firearm owned, must be listed on your FOID. Possession of a firearms other than what is listed is a felony. The Federal Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) allows qualified US citizens to purchase certain surplus military firearms (M1 Garands; M1 Carbines) for participation in marksmanship programs. Here the Federal government will ship the qualified firearm directly to the owner. However, Chicago law says the firearm must be registered before taking possession. Can not be lawfully done, as you simply will not know the serial number of the rifle before it is shipped. Thus making you an instant felon. Added to this, because you took possession, before registration, assuming you immediately transported the long-gun out of Chicago's environs, you will never be allowed to register that rifle. Catch-22. Despite all of this, Chicago remains a haven for guns. Unlawfully possessed by the gangs roaming the streets, against which the citizens have no protection. While the former two cases are direct "gun" cases, Maloney differs in that the object was a prohibited, but less than lethal defensive weapon, "discovered" in his home, after a less than credible search by the police. No firearms, or other weapons charges were ever brought to trail, so the search incident to the discovery was never addressed. A plea bargain for misdemeanor disorderly conduct was entered. There is much about Maloney that never came to light, in the press, and has subsequently colored many peoples opinions (for or against). Maloney is interesting because, if not addressed by the Supreme Court, then the States can prohibit its citizens from possessing less than lethal defensive weapons, while maintaining the right to keep lethal weapons for home defense. This alone, severely limits any lawful response a citizen may make in any defensive situation, while in his own home, to that of a solely lethal response. Then we have the 9th Circuit (Nordyke v King) who, as of this moment, has incorporated, but maintained the county law precluding firearms from county property (the panel determined that the county fairgrounds were a "sensitive place," per dicta in Heller). Of all the arguments for incorporation (regardless of the "other" issues involved), the cert brief by Alan Gura is by far the best argument to grant the petition. It is, in short, simply stunning in clarity and brilliant in its logic. Should you wish to read it, you may find it here. There is a clear difference between the NRA petition and the McDonald petition. Once again, the NRA is tossing a plate of spaghetti against the wall, to see what sticks (not a real criticism, as many attorneys do this), whereas McDonald gives due deference to the Court in its selective incorporation methods, but is primarily concerned with the Slaughterhouse Cases and how the P&I clause has been interpreted (or not). Gura is calling for the Court to revisit that decision and makes a compelling case. IMO. What is clear to this "reporter," is that there is a split in the circuits and the need for some direction from the Supreme Court is at hand. Sooner, rather than later. |
August 9, 2009, 01:45 PM | #42 | ||||||
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Copied from another post I made, and to update this, the major thread on the 7th Circuit-McDonald case for cert.
Quote:
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The second question asks that the Court not revisit Slaughterhouse and the Privileges or Immunities clause. In answering the first question, Chicago asserts: Quote:
Then, Chicago uses the following argument: Quote:
But wait! There's more!! Quote:
They've raised the militia clause from the dead. After rambling on a bit about how carrying or even possesing firearms has an inherent danger to the public-at-large, thus marking a distinct difference between other rights, Chicago goes on to say: Quote:
At this point, I'm laughing to hard to actually concentrate on the rest of Chicago's response. You really should read the response and see for yourself. Their argument parallels that of D.C. in many ways. |
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August 9, 2009, 02:33 PM | #43 | |
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We couldn't pay these guys to sabotage their case any more effectively. If they win anything, I'm calling a party foul. By the way, just because the Second clause of 2A now stands on it's own, per Heller, I don't think we've seen the last of the 1st clause. As soon as the Feds start turning up the heat on Montana's insolence, I wouldn't put it past Montana to start issuing or authorizing nearly any kind of small arms for their entire citizenry under the 1st clause. Then let them try to argue against collective AND individual rights before the court! |
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August 9, 2009, 05:33 PM | #44 |
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It defends state rights, but decreases our protection from the states while protecting the states from the National Government. Very well played, now we can get gang B**** by both.
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August 9, 2009, 06:06 PM | #45 |
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It's hard to believe they're going to run the "long guns are enough" and "2A is only for the militia" arguments by again, but should be fun to watch.
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August 9, 2009, 09:40 PM | #46 | |
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August 9, 2009, 10:54 PM | #47 | |||
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A few quick notes reading over this.
First off, they pounced very quickly on the fact that Nordyke is being reheard and that, in the meantime, it is not precedent. Therefore, there is no split among the Circuit courts. They seem to be trying their best to preclude incorporation under Privileges or Immunities. Their strategy seems to be to force the issue to be decided by the Due Process clause. Why? Because they're trying to prove that keeping and bearing arms is not a "natural" right, and therefore not subject to incorporation, I guess. They appear to be trying to push us into a corner, forcing us to prove that self-defense itself is a natural right. Limiting the argument to Due Process also skips the whole mess of revisiting Slaughterhouse, as Gura wants to do. If the Court reconsiders precedent (including Cruikshank, which they shockingly call "good law" on page 6), then the implications of this case could be larger than simply 2nd Amendment incorporation. I'm not sure they've read Heller, as they make this claim on page 9: Quote:
Quote:
Then they go on to argue against incorporation because, Quote:
They make a rather tortured argument that Hurtado backs up their argument, but Hurtado was concerned with the concept of a grand jury, which is a different matter. A grand jury is a parlaimentary procedure; self defense is a natural right. Apples ≠ oranges.
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August 9, 2009, 11:08 PM | #48 |
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Some of these arguments almost seem like they are trying to anger the justices that signed the majority opinion in Heller. How could they think these arguments will work, when the ruling from Heller DIRECTLY contradicts them?
What is the definition of insanity? Trying the same thing and expecting different results...probably not going to work, even with 1 member of SCOTUS changing. |
August 9, 2009, 11:57 PM | #49 | ||
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Quote:
Scalia: Quote:
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August 10, 2009, 04:31 AM | #50 |
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<sarcasm>
Notice Be It Known to All Citizens of the Kingdom of Daley and Especially Chicagoland: By Official Decree - owing to the unbridled, uncouth and rampant abuses of certain rights dispensed to the plebeian citizens of our domain, we hereby declare possession of the following items forbidden unless permission is granted as a permit and a fee is paid.
In addition, new regulations are hereby enacted regarding the privileges and immunities of the plebeian citizenry, which are an affront to the governmental powers to protect our citizens and maintain our ordered liberty.
I so declare /s/ His Highly Honorable and Flatuent Highness King Richard of Daley and all of Chicagoland </sarcasm>
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