July 6, 2009

LANSING- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced he has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the National Rifle Association's (NRA) challenge of a City of Chicago ordinance banning possession of most handguns. Cox joined at least 33 other states in supporting the NRA's request for the court to hear an appeal in National Rifle Association v. City of Chicago, a local case with national implications.

"The right to keep and bear arms is fundamental," said Cox. "The Supreme Court recognized this in the Heller case, and I am confident they will protect this right yet again. No government should impinge on the basic right to defend yourself."

The amicus, supporting the NRA's petition for a Writ of Certiorari to appeal the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals' June decision favoring the City of Chicago, will be filed with the court today.  Below are passages from the amicus brief:

"As our Founding Fathers recognized, and as this Court recently reaffirmed in District of Columbia v. Heller, 128 S. Ct. 2783 (2008), the right to keep and bear arms secured by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is a critical liberty interest, essential to preserving individual security and the right to self-defense...

"Accordingly, the Court should grant the petitions and hold that the Second Amendment secures a 'fundamental' right that can no more be abrogated by local government than by the federal government."

Cox previously signed an amicus in District of Columbia v. Heller, supporting the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. On June 26, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the District of Columbia's gun ordinance in that case. Cox's efforts to protect gun rights also resulted in more states recognizing Michigan-issued CCW permits. When Cox took office in 2003, only eight states recognized Michigan-issued CCW permits. Today, 35 states recognize Michigan-issued CCW permits.

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