MICHIGAN COALITION FOR

RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS

"Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms

through education, litigation, and legislation."

MONDAY E'NEWS

Runestad Replaces Lucido on MCRGO Board of Directors

Last week, Macomb County Prosector and former Michigan Senator Pete Lucido resigned from the MCRGO Board of Directors. The Board voted to fill Lucido's Southeast Michigan seat with current Oakland County Senator Jim Runestad (R-White Lake).

Runestad demonstrated a steadfast track record of support for self defense rights during his four years in the Michigan House of Representatives. The first term senator earned an A rating and endorsement from MCRGO-PAC for the 2018 race for his current Michigan Senate term. MCRGO President Nate DeWeerd said, "Jim Runestad fundamentally believes in the Second Amendment as the Founders intended and will continue to be a strong champion for Michigan's legal gun owners."

Pete Lucido added, "It was an honor and a privilege to be a board member of the organization and allow common sense solutions to issues that are highly debated during these times. We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest board member senator Jim Runestad and look forward to working with him for the benefit of our organization."

United States Supreme Court to Hear Second Amendment Case

The United State Supreme Court has announced it will hear a major Second Amendment case next term. The case concerns a New York law that restricts an individual from carrying a concealed handgun in public.

It has been over a decade since the Supreme Court has ruled on a major case regarding the right to bear arms. The court's decision to hear the case follows the Biden administration's push for expanded gun control.

The court's move illustrates the impact of Justice Amy Coney Barrett's presence on the newly solidified conservative court. Justice Clarence Thomas and others had been urging the justices to take up the issue. Just last term, the court declined several firearms cases.

In 2008, the court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms and to use firearms for traditionally lawful purposes such as home defense. Except for a follow up decision two years later applying those standards to state and local governments, the justices have largely avoided Second Amendment issues.

The justices' decision last week will give the court an opportunity to expand the 2008 majority opinion in District of Columbia v. Heller. It could extend Heller to protect the right to carry for self-defense outside the home. The case challenges New York's very restrictive concealed carry licensing process. This sets the stage for the Supreme Court to affirm what most states already hold as true, that there is an individual right to self-defense outside of the home.