This humiliation came on the heels of last year’s embarrassing defeat of a strict state law that all but prevented carrying firearms outside of a person’s home. The landmark ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen flipped the script for anti-gun zealots and sent certain states scrambling to try to restrict gun rights in other ways.
As a party to the case, the NRA is set to receive $447,700.82 in legal fees from the Empire State.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, NRA Director of the Office of Litigation Counsel Michael Jean said the ruling marked another win for the venerable organization. “The NRA regards the 447K award in the NYSRPA v. Bruen case as a pivotal victory, a symbol that justice is definitely on our side.”
Jean added that the lump sum covers only a third of what the group spent to defend Second Amendment rights in the case.
He went on to thank the generosity of members to make up the difference as “New York refuses to fully compensate.”
The importance of the Bruen decision, as defenders of gun rights well know, can hardly be overstated. New York residents were at the mercy of state officials, who were free to use their “discretion” in deciding who would be able to carry a firearm.
“Proper cause” had to be demonstrated, and the need to defend themselves or their property was not enough to exercise the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Under the leadership of Justice Clarence Thomas, the U.S. Supreme Court went even further. It established a guidepost for gun control laws to be constitutional in that they must align with the history and tradition of U.S. regulations.
This sent states rushing to defend the indefensible and greatly expanded gun rights for millions of law-abiding Americans.
It is a victory that the NRA will be at least partially compensated by New York for its efforts on behalf of the Constitution.
