NYSRPA files court brief in support of Woollard v. Sheridan decision

ALBANY, NY (08/07/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association joins with other State Rifle Associations and local gun groups in filing an Amicus Curiae urging affirmance by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals of the decision rendered by U.S. District Judge Benson Legg in the case of Woollard v Sheridan which found Maryland's discretionary handgun licensing system to be in violation of the 2nd Amendment.

Similar to New York's own Sullivan Law, Maryland's system allows licensing agents to arbitrarily deny a license to carry concealed handguns for personal protection to citizens who cannot demonstrate to the satisfaction of officials a "good and substantial reason" exists for such a license to be issued.

There is no legitimate reason for a specifically enumerated civil right to be denied based upon the whims of politicians or bureaucrats. All laws pertaining to the 2nd Amendment must be subject to the same standard of strict scrutiny as the 1st Amendment.

Arguments in the case are tentatively set for October 23-26, 2012.

A copy of the brief is available on the NYSRPA website at:

http://www.nysrpa.org/files/woollard_v_gallagher-amicus.pdf