On Thursday, June 23, 2022, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision to protect our Second Amendment rights. If you’re anything like me, you were cheering and breathing a sigh of relief. This was a huge win for the 2A community, but the question remains – How will it affect current and future laws in anti-gun states?
 

A Brief Look At The Decision

In the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the Supreme Court held that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect our right to carry arms in public. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his majority opinion, “The constitutional right to bear arms in public for self-defense is not a second-class right, subject to an entirely different body of rules than the other Bill of Rights guarantees.” So, what happens next?

How Will It Affect Current Gun Laws?

If you live in an anti-gun state, you’re probably wondering how this ruling will affect your local gun control laws. Even for those without law degrees, this stuff can be confusing to interpret and understand.

First, it’s essential to know that the decision is immediate and binding in all lower courts. Second, the Court’s decision mainly pertains to “may-issue” states and the criteria used to issue concealed carry permits. Effective immediately, these governments can no longer require applicants to prove an arbitrary “special need” to receive a permit. 
 

So, what about other gun laws? For example, I live in Washington, and as far as gun laws go, it’s one of the more restrictive states. We’ve got age limits, purchase waiting periods, class requirements, and a ban on standard-capacity magazines that went into effect just days after the Bruen decision. Those are just a few that seem in direct violation of the Second Amendment.

The good news is that the Supreme Court also vacated rulings from lower courts and sent them back for review in light of the Bruen decision. Courts have to reevaluate the cases consistent with the Bruen ruling and can no longer use the controversial “two-step” approach.

The win allows grassroots organizations like the Second Amendment Foundation to challenge laws that were previously upheld and provides for the possibility of rights restorations. I spoke with Second Amendment Foundation founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, who said, “Our legal experts are currently reviewing our other past lawsuits to determine whether Thursday’s ruling will provide grounds to refile those cases.”

He noted that SAF was getting right to work on cases in Washington state and said, “But for our immediate cases challenging the ban on modern semi-auto firearms purchases for 18 to 20 year olds, and the recently-adopted ban on standard-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, the ruling sends a strong signal to politicians and lower court judges that the day of trampling on the Second Amendment has come to an end.”

Anti-Gun State Reactions

Just days after the Bruen decision, New York Governor Kathy Hochul had a full-on temper tantrum and demanded the legislature scramble and pass Senate Bill 51001, which severely limits the places New Yorkers will be legally allowed to carry. With no time for anyone to review the bill, including the legislators, Hochul eagerly signed.

It’s my opinion that anti-gun states will try to retaliate with as many restrictions as they can get away with. These will be regulations that will make it difficult or nearly impossible for the average citizen to both obtain a concealed carry permit and carry legally in public. Although many of these restrictions will be in violation of the law in light of the Bruen decision, the states know it takes money and time to fight them.

RELATED: Reactions to Supreme Court Gun Rights Win

For example, what’s to stop a state from jacking up the price of applying for and obtaining a permit? If they make it expensive enough, they can remove entire groups of people from the process by making it cost-prohibitive.

As an advocate for women’s concealed carry and self-defense, the first group that comes to mind for me is domestic violence victims and survivors. Many times, these women are in situations without any access to money. And when they finally get the support to leave, they often flee without money or possessions.

It may sound a little far-fetched, but at the same time, states like New York are taking desperate measures to prevent nearly all their residents from keeping and bearing arms.
 

Staying in the Fight

While the decision was monumental, it’s imperative to remember that the fight is not over. The ruling may turn many issues in law-abiding gun owners’ favor, but anti-gun individuals and organizations always work overtime. If you value your Second Amendment rights and the freedom to protect yourself, you’ve got to get involved.

It’s crucial to support organizations like the Second Amendment Foundation, which is fighting at the state and federal levels. They’re on the front lines filing case after case to preserve our rights and defeat gun control laws. 
 

DONATE TO THE CAUSE

It’s no secret the anti-gun side seems to have unlimited donor funds and massive support compared to organizations like SAF. It doesn’t matter how small the donation, strength in numbers is what they need to continue to fight to preserve our rights. Every membership and every donation helps.
 

Write Your Legislature

I’ve spent many hours writing and calling my legislators over the past few years. At first, it felt intimidating, but my nerves dissipated after a few calls. I had to remind myself that these people work for us, not the other way around. We have every right to email and call to voice our opinions on how they represent us.

Even if your state isn’t anti-gun, making your voice heard is a good idea. States can flip anti-gun with a few election cycles. Let your representatives know where their constituents stand on the Second Amendment.

You can find and contact your senators here: United States Senate. And you can find and contact your representatives here: United States House of Representatives.
 

Reach Out to Others

If you don’t have any pro-2A friends, it’s time to make some. I did that by building an Instagram account in the gun community. I’ve also found local firearms advocacy groups through messaging people on social media.

My husband networks with fellow veterans and stays active on firearms message boards. He’s been involved in these online communities for many years, and the knowledge is invaluable. We’ve regularly met people at local shooting ranges, too. Get online and out in your community and start networking.
 

Educate Your Family and Friends

Educating others can be tricky because some people have made up their minds and will not be swayed by even the most persuasive arguments. But that doesn’t mean that everyone is closed off. Last year, I published an e-book about women’s concealed carry, and my most anti-gun (or so I thought) friend was the very first person to purchase it. She said that my calm, educated demeanor made her question her beliefs.

Nobody has ever changed their mind amidst a screaming match. It can feel difficult since this is an emotional subject for most of us, but emotions and rational thought do not happen simultaneously. My advice is to be calm, be courteous, and know the facts so you can have meaningful conversations. Make sure you’re in the right head space to present your argument and always back it up with facts.

If I’m being honest, it feels good to calmly destroy someone’s anti-gun argument with facts. Still, all kidding aside, it’s crucial we keep it up. The more we can educate and get the facts out there, the better.
 

Conclusion

The NYSRPA v. Bruen decision is monumental. The Court’s opinion will affect many aspects of gun control measures already enacted by states and those that will undoubtedly come in the future. We can celebrate the ruling and commit to not taking our foot off the gas when fighting to preserve our Second Amendment rights.