Brady Campaign Applauds Court Ruling on Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban

Washington, D.C., April 6, 2018 - A federal court in Massachusetts today rejected the gun lobby's challenge to the state's assault weapon ban, ruling that AR-15 and other assault weapons "fall outside the scope of the personal right to ‘bear Arms' under the Second Amendment." The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence hailed the decision, noting that US courts have repeatedly and consistently held that assault weapon bans are in fact constitutional.

"These are weapons of war that belong on the battlefield, and we were pleased today to see yet another court agree with that stance," stated Brady co-president Kris Brown. "Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey was correct when she stated that ‘strong gun laws save lives,' and we applaud her leadership in enforcing Massachusetts law."

The Brady Campaign has advocated reinstating the federal assault weapons ban as part of the organization's three-point policy plan in the wake of the Parkland, FL shooting. Today's decision by U.S. District Court Judge William Young joins the DC Circuit, 2nd Circuit, 4th Circuit, 7th Circuit, Illinois Supreme Court, and others in upholding bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

"Recent polls show that more than two-thirds of Americans support assault weapons bans," added Brady co-president Avery Gardiner. "In the words of Judge Young, assault weapons bans ‘are policy matters not for the courts, but left to the people directly through their elected representatives… Americans are not afraid of bumptious, raucous, and robust debate about these matters. We call it democracy.' We at Brady call on Congress to follow Judge Young's advice to enact laws that reflect the will of the people."

###

Brady has one powerful mission — to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands.


Back to Press Releases
Related Posts