SAF Files Amicus Brief in Challenge of D.C. Mag. Ban

BELLEVUE, Wash. — March 31, 2025 — The Second Modification Basis (SAF) has filed an amicus temporary with the U.S. Supreme Court docket supporting petitioners in a case referred to as Andrew Hanson, et. al. v. District of Columbia, et. al., difficult the District’s ban on so-called “high-capacity magazines” able to holding greater than ten cartridges. 

SAF is joined by the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation (NRA). The case has nationwide implications and the amicus temporary calls the courtroom’s consideration to the truth that the federal circuit courts are divided on the query whether or not magazines are “arms,” what constitutes “widespread use,” and whether or not arms most helpful for navy service are protected by the Second Modification. 

SAF is represented by legal professional Adam Kraut, who’s SAF’s government director. NRA is represented by attorneys Joseph G.S. Greenlee and Erin M. Erhardt on the NRA Institute for Legislative Motion. 

“In our temporary,” Kraut famous, “we remind the courtroom that repeating arms predate the Second Modification by roughly three centuries, and that semiautomatic firearms have been invented in 1885. Likewise, removable field magazines got here alongside again in 1862. Regardless of technological advances over the previous 200 years, neither the sale nor possession of repeating arms of any capability have been ever banned in america.” 

“The very essence of the Second Modification is to guard the appropriate to maintain and bear arms,” stated SAF founder and Govt Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “The language of the Second Modification doesn’t stipulate which bearable arms are protected, solely that they’re, and that the appropriate of the individuals to bear these arms shall not be infringed. Due to the decrease courtroom break up on whether or not magazines are ‘arms,’ we imagine the excessive courtroom must resolve this controversy with out additional delay.” 

For extra data, go to saf.org. 

The Second Modification Basis (saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt schooling, analysis, publishing and authorized motion group devoted to safeguarding and selling the elemental rights of people enshrined within the Second Modification of america Structure. SAF engages in aggressive authorized motion to make sure the ideas of armed self-defense, private liberty, and the possession of arms are defended, secured, and restored. By way of public schooling initiatives, SAF teaches the significance of the Second Modification to advertise a society that values and workout routines the appropriate to maintain and bear arms.