TSRA Statement District of Columbia v. Heller

Win for gunowners everywhere!

For Immediate Release                      Contact:  James Dark

Date:  June 26, 2008                              (972) 889-8772  

The Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA), in conjunction with the 39 other State Firearms Associations was gratified to see that the opinion issued today by the Supreme Court in the landmark case of the District of Columbia v. Heller was a victory for gun owners not only in the Lone Star State, but across the United States.

When the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case last November, the Texas State Rifle Association took the lead role in organizing the coalition of like-minded associations to file an amicus curiae, or “Friends of the Court” that became titled as the State Association Brief.

The brief argued, among other things, that the long-standing participation of these groups with the federal government’s Civilian Marksmanship Program was vital in preparing our nation for inevitable future conflicts by teaching marksmanship.  The brief even cited the TSRA’s involvement in conducting Squad Designated Marksmanship Training for troops headed to Iraq and Afghanistan as recently as 2005. 

The Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to own and possess firearms for lawful purposes not connected with militia service, rather than a “collective rights” view allowing states to keep militias. The court also ruled that two provisions of District of Columbia law are unconstitutional; a near complete ban on handgun ownership, and a requirement that rifles and shotguns kept in one’s own home be disassembled or trigger-locked.  We will have further analysis of the 157 pages of opinions in the very near future as they are examined by our attorneys.

The State Association Brief was authored by a team of attorneys led by David J. Schenck of the Dallas office of Jones-Day, LLP, a prestigious law firm with significant experience in appellate law.  Mr. Schenck also authored a brief filed in the important case of Emerson v. the United States that was heard before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2001. 

The Texas State Rifle Association is a non-profit 501(c)(4) corporation established in 1919 for the fostering of the shooting sports and the preservation of the right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the United States and Texas Constitutions.  The TSRA has 35,000 members across Texas, and maintains an effective full-time lobbying force at the state capitol. 

For more information about the Texas State Rifle Association, see their website at tsra.com, or call their headquarters in Addison at (972) 889-8772.

Statement of Attorney General Greg Abbott on DC v. Heller

"Today's decision marks a victory for gun owners in Texas and across the nation.  The United States Supreme Court confirmed what Texans have known for years--the Constitution clearly protects individuals' right to keep and bear arms.  This decision should eliminate any legal threat to Texas' concealed carry law and our Castle doctrine."

Youth Programs Information Available.

Building the TSRA, One Shot at a Time - Your TSRA is always seeking opportunities to grow our membership and increase our visibility in the community. One such opportunity occurred on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Elm Fork Shooting Park (www.elmfork.com) when the Frost Bank sponsored the 3^rd annual fundraising sporting clays tournament benefiting the Scottish Rite Hospital of Dallas. (Click here to read more by Bob Irving, Life Member or visit the Photo Gallery for pictures of this event.)

Family Membership Application - Now you can sign your family up together.

Above The Law: TSRA In Action!  Problem Solved!  Find out how Texas prosecutors placed their own judgment over that of the Legislature and the law of the land. Click "Above The Law" to read more. Don't have Adobe reader? View the flash version. "Above The Law Flash".  TSRA lobbied successfully for passage of House Bill 1815 which has fixed this problem once and for all! 

Military Tribute Page -View photos from TSRA members with family serving around the world to keep America safe.

TSRA NOTICE - Our Troops Arrive And Depart Daily - Be part of a TSRA group throughout the state to send our troops off or welcome them home. Call TSRA headquarters for dates and times that you can participate. Make a difference for our troops and our country today. Any TSRA member can form their own group such as, civic, church, school, or club.

Never thought you would see gun confiscation here in America? Visit www.GiveThemBack.com to see startling video and interviews with New Orleans residents that had their guns unlawfully confiscated.

Join or renew your NRA membership from the TSRA Home Page and a portion of your dues will come back to Texas to support TSRA programs.  Remember, the TSRA is the official state affiliate of the NRA in Texas, and was recognized as the State Association of the Year in 2004 by the NRA!

Radio Interview - Listen to recent radio interview with Alice Tripp on the Pratt On Texas radio broadcast. Alice discusses recent changes in Travel Law and how it affects Texas gun owners. (Part 1, Part2) click links to listen to audio files. Visit Pratt On Texas

June 20, 2006 - Listen to Jim Dark's live phone interview with NRA News Dallas City Council held discussions about their concerns regarding Airsoft Toy Guns.

Read TSRAPAC Legal Reports and Editorials from Jim Dark, Executive Director - PDF format

Texas State Firearm, Handgun, and Related News - Find the latest Texas state news articles here.

Articles from Dr. John Lott Jr. - Find articles from Dr. John Lott Jr. here. If you have an RSS reader you can subscribe to his feed and have information updated regularly right to your desktop.

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We will be updating the site with revised content in an ongoing basis for the next week or so. If you have any specific comments or questions please send them to webmaster@tsra.com