The NRA sits on sidelines of gun fight with feds

[onehandle]

The firearms freedom act was first launched last year in the Montana Legislature, pushed by local gun advocates. The law states that guns made and sold within a state's borders are exempt from federal gun control under Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce.

A lawsuit filed last year by Montana gun advocates following passage of the law argued the state should decide which rules, if any, would control the sale and purchase of guns and paraphernalia made in Montana. The state would then be exempt from rules on federal gun registration, background checks and dealer-licensing.

Several attorneys general, including Democrat Steve Bullock of Montana, have joined the gun advocates this month in their legal fight. But the NRA is sitting on the sidelines -- perhaps because the influential group doesn't think the states stand much of a chance with their constitutional legal argument.

The U.S. Department of Justice doesn't think the lawsuit has merit, either, asking a federal court in Missoula to dismiss the firearms freedom act lawsuit. The Justice Department is arguing states can't exempt themselves from national gun control laws. The agency says that federal gun control is a "valid exercise of Congress' commerce power under the Constitution.''

http://dailymail.com/News/201004180283

[BrklynLiberal]

1. So, the NRA only joins battles it knows it can win?

[onehandle]

2. I find it interesting that yet another State Attorney General is starting a lawsuit they can't win.

Do guys like this and the ones who are suing against healthcare for the unfortunate and children have law degrees?

[BrklynLiberal]

3. I can only guess that they figure they get points for trying..even if there is no chance

in hell they will win. Another instance of placating the insane masses minorities.

[Pullo]

5. Remember, the NRA was not party to the litigation that led to the recent McDonald case, either .....

Same with Heller in '08. In McDonald, they came on board last minute, once victory seemed assured. This allows them to take credit. The NRA, for the most part, is leery of courts. It much prefers to do battle in legislatures. This way, the organization can wage constant battles locally and nationally, operating both defensively and offensively, depending on the political environment at any given time or place.

This keeps the current membership engaged, and serves as an excellent recruiting tool for new members. New memberships + donations from existing members = lots of $$$ for the NRA. Yeah, that is a rather cynical view of the organization, but it is key to understanding its success.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Thanks. Great info.

[TheWraith]

4. The NRA has traditionally supported the National Firearms Act.

This is an end-run around that, and one that's almost certain to fail.

[aikoaiko]

7. There probably should be challenges to overextensions of the commerse clause, in general

Besides, I live in GA where there is a Glock factory. The prospect of owning a Glock 18 makes me support these efforts.

[X_Digger]

8. The precusrsor state analogues of the 1934 NFA were written _with_ the NRA.

Google for Karl T. Frederick's testimony before congress in 1934.