[Yellowfin]

It was much simpler than that. The 14th Amendment nullification by the Slaughterhouse ruling was to protect the big city political corruption and power of places like NYC and New Orleans. There were too many big powerful political figures who simply couldn't be allowed to lose their clout. The P&I clause and equal protections was the core issue of the case as the big players in city government could pull strings and exert big power, no more no less. It's exactly why the sheriffs in SF, LA, and Santa Clara counties in California do as they do and NYPD, NJ, and Maryland's police system withhold CCW's for all but the rich and powerful. It's about power, control, and the ability to grant favors.