District of Columbia v. Heller: NRA’s Amicus Curiae Brief

District of Columbia v. Heller: NRA’s Amicus Curiae Brief

Read the NRA’s amicus brief submitted in the District of Columbia v. Heller 554 U.S. 570 (2008).,

Write a one-page summation of the NRA’s argument. ,Then in a second page answer the following questions:,

1.  Does the NRA want the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm or overrule the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s opinion?,

2.  Why?,

Your submission should adhere to the following guidelines:,

·  The total length of your paper should be a minimum of 2 full pages in length.

·  Use APA style for general formatting, including margins, font type and font size, spacing, and cover page.

·  Include Bluebook formatted citations within the body of the paper and on the References page.

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Page 1: Summary of the NRA’s Argument

In its amicus curiae brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008), the National Rifle Association (NRA) argued that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual—not collective—right to keep and bear arms. The NRA contended that the phrase “the right of the people” mirrors usage elsewhere in the Constitution and reflects personal liberties rather than state-granted privileges.

The NRA criticized Washington D.C.’s handgun ban as a clear infringement on citizens’ ability to exercise their constitutional right to self-defense. The brief emphasized that historical context and Supreme Court precedent support an interpretation of the Second Amendment that empowers individuals, not just militias. The organization further warned that the District’s restrictive gun laws leave law-abiding individuals defenseless and that recognizing an individual right to bear arms is essential to upholding constitutional freedoms.

District of Columbia v. Heller: NRA’s Amicus Curiae Brief

Page 2: Responses to Specific Questions

1. Does the NRA want the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm or overrule the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s opinion?

The NRA wants the U.S. Supreme Court to affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

2. Why?

The NRA supports affirmance because the Court of Appeals concluded that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to own firearms, and that the District of Columbia’s handgun ban was unconstitutional. The NRA argued that affirming the lower court would reinforce a proper, historically grounded understanding of the Second Amendment. Specifically, they believe that denying individuals the right to own operable firearms for lawful purposes like self-defense undermines the Constitution and public safety.

District of Columbia v. Heller: NRA’s Amicus Curiae Brief

References

National Rifle Association of America, Inc., Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondent, District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008). Retrieved from https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/07/07-290/07-290_Amicus_NRA.pdf

District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008). Retrieved from https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/554/570/

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