SAF vs. Bloomberg...New Suit Filed

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(I checked the duplitron and didn't see this particular item. If I missed it, my apologies.)

This alert came in today's email. The SAF gives permission to freely distribute, so here it is in it's entirety. Synopsis: NY city is charging an unreasonable fee for a license to possess a handgun in your home. The argument is that this fee is an unreasonable infringement of an individuals 2nd Amendment rights. Please note the line I bolded; I'm betting the second state is the PRM. [grin]

SAF FILES FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST
BLOOMBERG OVER GUN PERMIT FEES

BELLEVUE, WA - The Second Amendment Foundation today filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg that alleges New York City's $340 fee for a permit to keep a handgun in the home is "excessive andimpermissibly burdens the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms."

SAF is joined in the lawsuit by the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association and five individual New York City residents. Also named as a defendant in the lawsuit is New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

"Under state law," said SAF Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb, "the maximum fee for issuing a New York State handgun license is $10, but the law exempts citizens living in New York City. That exemption allows the city to charge an exorbitant fee for the license, which discourages city residents from exercising their civil rights while violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

"For decades the City has charged its residents exorbitant license fees that far exceed the fees charged by other states and cities that impose them," said attorney David Jensen, who is representing the plaintiffs. "The effect of this is to force a punitive tax on New York City citizens who choose to own firearms in compliance with the law. But people have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and the City cannot simply impose fees for the sake of burdening law-abiding gun owners."

"The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association was founded 141 years ago in New York City and we are proud to participate in an action to help restore the Second Amendment rights of all New York City residents," said NYSRPA President Tom King.

In its lawsuit, SAF notes that the $340 fee is not used to defray administrative costs, so there appears to be no purpose for it other than to discourage people from applying for a permit. The excessive fee, according to Gottlieb, puts the exercise of a constitutional right solely within the financial reach of the wealthy class, essentially turning a civil right into a privilege for the rich and well-connected.

"New York is one of only two states that require a permit just to keep a handgun in one's own home," Gottlieb said. "Citizens in the other 48 states would consider that an outrage. The city's residence premises' handgun license amounts to a charge of more than $100 annually to keep a handgun in one's home, which is ridiculous. Mayor Bloomberg is essentially taxing the fundamental right to defend one's self in his or her own home. We cannot think of anything more egregious than perpetuating a fee structure that puts a financial obstacle in the way of citizens who want to protect their homes and families.

"We believe the only recourse is to take this issue to the federal court," he concluded. "Billionaires like Mayor Bloomberg can be cavalier about a citizen's rights, but we can't, and we won't."




The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.
 
The lawyer taking this case is David Jensen who is the attorney in the NJ carry case. He is a good attorney who just struck out on his own as an independent after working at an established firm for some time. Don't be surprised if you see him taking some cases here in MA at some point...rolleye-smiley-004.gif
 
The lawyer taking this case is David Jensen who is the attorney in the NJ carry case. He is a good attorney who just struck out on his own as an independent after working at an established firm for some time. Don't be surprised if you see him taking some cases here in MA at some point...View attachment 17210

I wondered what was up when I saw that he left Duane Morris. I'm guessing the management of DM saw how much Gura was getting jerked around over 1988 fees in Heller and McDonald and didn't see the money in it anymore. Jensen is probably more willing to take that risk on his own, especially with the possibility of making a name for himself added on.
 
I wondered what was up when I saw that he left Duane Morris. I'm guessing the management of DM saw how much Gura was getting jerked around over 1988 fees in Heller and McDonald and didn't see the money in it anymore. Jensen is probably more willing to take that risk on his own, especially with the possibility of making a name for himself added on.

I wouldn't assume anything about his leaving or in his starting up something independent.
 
"New York is one of only two states that require a permit just to keep a handgun in one's own home,"

MA, NY... Doesn't NJ require a permit? Or is that just to *purchase*? HI? IL? DC doesn't count as a state, but it probably should for this argument.
 
MA, NY... Doesn't NJ require a permit? Or is that just to *purchase*? HI? IL? DC doesn't count as a state, but it probably should for this argument.

Possession permits (MA and NY) are not gun registrations (CA, HI, NJ) or permits to purchase (NC, etc...). IL is an open question. Is the FOID required for mere possession? Or is it a purchase permit?
 
The lawyer taking this case is David Jensen who is the attorney in the NJ carry case. He is a good attorney who just struck out on his own as an independent after working at an established firm for some time. Don't be surprised if you see him taking some cases here in MA at some point...View attachment 17210

I would be overjoyed to see MA get some of its stupidity jammed up its rectum sideways, minus any lube. If we have to be stuck with licensing to exercise a right it should be at a very minimal cost, and that cost should be linked to verifiable figures to justify it. Charging $340 for a permit in NYC is ludicrous. (BTW, I'm not endorsing licensing at all. The Constitution should be the only "license" required.)

MA, NY... Doesn't NJ require a permit? Or is that just to *purchase*? HI? IL? DC doesn't count as a state, but it probably should for this argument.

Possession permits (MA and NY) are not gun registrations (CA, HI, NJ) or permits to purchase (NC, etc...). IL is an open question. Is the FOID required for mere possession? Or is it a purchase permit?

Good questions, gentlemen. I thought the same things when I read that line. SAF is usually pretty accurate, so I'll withhold my "WRONG!" until I read or hear otherwise. [wink][laugh]
 
Possession permits (MA and NY) are not gun registrations (CA, HI, NJ) or permits to purchase (NC, etc...). IL is an open question. Is the FOID required for mere possession? Or is it a purchase permit?

In NJ you must first get a firearms ID card which alows you to buy a rifle or shotgun. Takes like 3 months. Once you have an FID card you can purchase handguns. You must file applications with the local police department everytime you want to purchase a handgun and pay an $18 fee plus $2 each for the permits. Usually takes about 2 months. NJ does not issue CCW permits to normal citizens. Only the rich and crooked politicians get them.
 
The lawyer taking this case is David Jensen who is the attorney in the NJ carry case. He is a good attorney who just struck out on his own as an independent after working at an established firm for some time. Don't be surprised if you see him taking some cases here in MA at some point...View attachment 17210

I don't believe any MA. laws are ever challenged!
 
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