{"id":193279,"date":"2023-10-20T12:56:42","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T17:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=193279"},"modified":"2023-10-20T14:29:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T19:29:30","slug":"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Judge: California&#8217;s Ban on &#8216;Assault Weapons&#8217; Is Unconstitutional"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_7415-768x512.jpg-1.webp\" alt=\"Springfield SAINT Victor with LAW Tactical Folder Reviewed!\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-191362\" title=\"Fed Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_7415-768x512.jpg-1.webp 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_7415-768x512.jpg-1-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_7415-768x512.jpg-1-150x100.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California&#8217;s ban on so-called &#8220;assault weapons&#8221; is unconstitutional says Judge Roger T. Benitez.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"yoast-reading-time__wrapper\"><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"clock\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.1em\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M12 8v4l3 3m6-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__spacer\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:1em\"><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__descriptive-text\">Estimated reading time:  <\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__reading-time\">3<\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__time-unit\"> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-california-s-semi-auto-ban-overturned\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">California&#8217;s Semi-Auto Ban Overturned<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-a-triumph-for-second-amendment-foundation-saf\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">A Triumph for Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-judge-benitez-takes-a-firm-stand\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">Judge Benitez Takes a Firm Stand<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-saf-s-rejoicing-and-forward-look\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">SAF&#8217;s Rejoicing and Forward Look<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-potential-ripple-effects-in-washington\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">Potential Ripple Effects in Washington<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-road-ahead-supreme-court-in-view\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">The Road Ahead: Supreme Court in View?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-judge-benitez-speaks-on-self-defense\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">Judge Benitez Speaks on Self-Defense<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-a-paradigm-shift-in-gun-rights-discussion\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" data-level=\"2\">A Paradigm Shift in Gun Rights Discussion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-california-s-semi-auto-ban-overturned\"><strong>California&#8217;s Semi-Auto Ban Overturned<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In a landmark ruling, a U.S. District Court judge declared the longstanding California ban on &#8220;assault weapons&#8221; unconstitutional, sparking widespread reactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-triumph-for-second-amendment-foundation-saf\"><strong>A Triumph for Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), along with partners like San Diego County Gun Owners Political Action Committee and California Gun Rights Foundation, celebrated their victory in the case known as <em>Miller v. Bonta<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James Miller, one of the private citizens involved, stands as a namesake for the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leading attorneys George M. Lee of Seiler Epstein, LLP and John W. Dillon of the Dillon Law Group, APC represent them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-judge-benitez-takes-a-firm-stand\"><strong>Judge Benitez Takes a Firm Stand<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Judge Roger T. Benitez, in his extensive <a href=\"https:\/\/saf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/MIller-Decision-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\">79-page decision<\/a>, made a striking comparison, equating the banning of specific guns to the prohibition of books or religious places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He emphasized that constitutional rights can&#8217;t be selectively applied, rejecting the state&#8217;s recycled justification for the ban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Judge Benitez wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Falling back on an old, recycled justification, the State says that its ban should stand because a person can have as many other rifles, shotguns, and pistols as one wants\u2026Heller demolished that argument. The same argument \u2013 that a handgun ban might be justified because government-approved alternatives are available \u2013 was rejected in Heller and it is rejected here. Heller said quite clearly that it is no constitutional answer for government to say that it is permissible to ban some guns so long as other guns are allowed. This is not the way American Constitutional rights work. It is not permissible for a state to ban some books simply because there are other books to read, or to close synagogues because churches and mosques are open. In their normal configurations, the so-called \u201cassault weapons\u201d banned in California are modern firearms commonly-owned by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes across the nation. Under Heller, McDonald, Caetano, and Bruen, they may not be banned.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-saf-s-rejoicing-and-forward-look\"><strong>SAF&#8217;s Rejoicing and Forward Look<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adam Kraut, SAF&#8217;s Executive Director, voiced his contentment, stating that the foundation has always viewed California&#8217;s ban as unconstitutional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He expressed optimism in the light of the recent ruling, confident that their stance was legally and morally right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-potential-ripple-effects-in-washington\"><strong>Potential Ripple Effects in Washington<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"California&#039;s Assault Weapons Ban STRUCK DOWN By Federal Judge - AGAIN! (Miller v Bonta)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/I_aDc4DgFGs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the recent ruling, SAF anticipates similar repercussions in Washington. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both states come under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court. SAF&#8217;s founder, Alan M. Gottlieb, highlighted the broader implications: if the ban is unconstitutional in California, it&#8217;s equally so in Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-road-ahead-supreme-court-in-view\"><strong>The Road Ahead: Supreme Court in View?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawing attention to the broader horizon, Gottlieb indicated SAF&#8217;s readiness for a potential Supreme Court face-off, emphasizing their commitment to the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He expressed confidence in prevailing should the matter escalate to the nation&#8217;s highest court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-judge-benitez-speaks-on-self-defense\"><strong>Judge Benitez Speaks on Self-Defense<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In his detailed ruling, Benitez accentuated the pivotal role of guns in self-defense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He cited various surveys underscoring the high frequency of defensive gun uses in the country, challenging the narrative that portrays these weapons as primarily offensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Judge Benitez wrote: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>While criminals already have these modern semiautomatics, the State prohibits its citizens from buying and possessing the same guns for self-defense. At the same time these firearms are commonly possessed by law-abiding gun owners elsewhere across the country. Guns for self-defense are needed a lot because crime happens a lot. A recent large-scale survey estimates that guns are needed defensively approximately 1,670,000 times a year. Another report, originally commissioned and long cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there are between 500,000 and 3,000,000 defensive gun uses in the United States each year.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-paradigm-shift-in-gun-rights-discussion\"><strong>A Paradigm Shift in Gun Rights Discussion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adam Kraut opined that Judge Benitez&#8217;s decision represents a turning point, sending a clear message to gun prohibitionists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJudge Benitez\u2019 ruling is a stinging rebuff to the gun prohibition movement,\u201d said Kraut. \u201cHis detailed discussion of the history of firearms regulation, along with his dismantling of the state\u2019s arguments and assertions of its experts sends a signal that the days when gun banners could simply attack the Second Amendment without challenge are finished. We will take this challenge to the Supreme Court if necessary, as part of our commitment to restore firearms freedom, one lawsuit a time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ruling, laden with historical and legal discussions, indicates a shifting tide in the gun rights conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SAF reaffirmed its commitment, ready to challenge and restore firearms freedom, one lawsuit at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong><em>*** <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"fed-judge-californias-ban-on-assault-weapons-is-unconstitutional\" title=\"Federal Judge: California's Ban on 'Assault Weapons' Is Unconstitutional\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica!<\/a> ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge Roger T. Benitez, in his extensive 79-page decision, made a striking comparison, equating the banning of specific guns to the prohibition of books or religious places.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":158,"featured_media":191362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[244,25,240],"tags":[132,607,122],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-193279","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-2nd-amendment-r2kba","8":"category-current-events","9":"category-this-week","10":"tag-buzz","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-r2kba"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Judge: California&#039;s Ban on &#039;Assault Weapons&#039; Is Unconstitutional<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The historic ruling of Judge Roger T. 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As an editor for GunsAmerica, he\u2019s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he's deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there's a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry\u2019s got an opinion\u2014and it's probably backed up with both facts and field experience. 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