Here’s what Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination means for gun rights

President Trump recently selected Judge Brett Kavanaugh as his Supreme Court nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Immediately following this announcement, national pro-gun groups like the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, and the Second Amendment Institute released statements endorsing Trump’s nomination. Kavanaugh brings with him a strong support and respect for the Second Amendment. His judicial history clearly demonstrates that he is a friend to law-abiding gun owners.

Whereas on the other side of the aisle, gun-grabbing groups like Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety opposed Kavanaugh, declaring that his confirmation would bring an end to “civil society” and public safety. Everytown for Gun Safety said in a statement, “Judge Kavanaugh has applied an extreme and dangerous interpretation of the Second Amendment when determining whether a law is constitutional, one that does not take into account a law’s impact on public safety.”

Throughout his judicial career, Kavanaugh has ruled on a number of Second Amendment-related cases during his time on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which included a detailed account agreeing with Heller from D.C. v. Heller. In 2011, when Heller brought another challenge to the city involving the AR-15 ban, Kavanaugh dissented from the majority and agreed with Heller. “In my judgment, both D.C.’s ban on semi-automatic rifles and its gun registration requirement are unconstitutional under Heller.”

When questioned about Trump’s nominee for Supreme Court, Dick Heller, from D.C. v. Hellerreplied, “Brett Kavanaugh is the right man for the job. He’ll bring with him a much needed refresh button to an out-of-date system, with Justices who refuse to uphold the Constitution. Justice Scalia, who wrote the magnificent Heller decision, would be proud.”

If Kavanaugh is confirmed, the Supreme Court will enter a new conservative era. Second Amendment supporters can expect the court hear more pro-Second Amendment cases, which could include striking down may-issue laws, constitutional carry, national reciprocity, and the most controversial of issues, the AR-15 ban.

Some current state laws that must be challenged, include red flag laws (which completely circumvent the Second and Fourth Amendments), raising the age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21, (which the left-leaning website Vox even admits would “do depressingly little”), and may-issue. In the 2017 case Wrenn v. D.C., the D.C. Court of Appeals struck down Washington D.C.’s unconstitutional “special reason” requirement for a concealed carry permit, thus changing the status of D.C. from may-issue to shall-issue. Meaning that, if a law-abiding citizen successfully completes the required training to obtain a concealed carry license in the District, D.C. shall issue them a license. Whereas before, D.C. could still deny that person.

Kavanaugh’s confirmation would shine a light of freedom in the face of the tyrannical darkness that is sweeping our nation. Dozens of pro-Second Amendment cases could finally be brought before the highest court of the land, and strike down unconstitutional gun control laws. Stricter gun control victimizes law-abiding citizens and empowers criminals. With another pro-Second Amendment conservative on the Supreme Court, law-abiding gun owners can finally take a very overdue deep, relaxing breath.

Gene Truono, candidate for U.S. Senate in Delaware, agrees: “Kavanaugh’s resume and reverence for the Constitution make him a strong choice for the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh’s dissent in the Heller decision paved the way for the Supreme Court to ultimately decide to maintain the individual’s right to bear arms. Therefore, I believe Kavanaugh is a good choice in regard to the Second Amendment, specifically.”

ABOUT TYLER YZAGUIRRE

Tyler Yzaguirre (@realtyleryz) is the founder and president of the Second Amendment Institute.

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EDITORS NOTE: The featured image is by AP/Lily illustration.

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