CRPA Press Release: Peruta Decision

CALIFORNIA RIFLE AND PISTOL ASSOCIATION HAPPY IN 9^TH CIRCUIT DECISION

Federal Court Deals Victory To Second Amendment Supporters.

February 24, 2014, FULLERTON, CALIF. –This month the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals rejected a law in San Diego County requiring concealed carry permit applicants to demonstrate “good cause” for their need to carry a gun for personal safety. Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain wrote that “San Diego County’s ‘good cause’ permitting requirement impermissibly infringes on the Second Amendment right to bear arms in lawful self-defense.”

Many years ago, the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA), a 501 (c) (4) not for profit membership organization formed the CRPA Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) not for profit foundation.  The CRPA Foundation funds the litigation battles for the CRPA and as an additional plaintiff in the case, joined the lawsuit to support those in San Diego who had wrongly been denied concealed carry licenses because they could not establish what the San Diego County sheriff deemed “good cause.”

CRPA Executive Director, John C. Fields, could not have been happier about the news. “We’ve spent the last week fielding phone calls from members as well as non-members who wanted information on how to become a member of our organization,” he said. “Every dollar that we raise stays right here in California to fight for the right of California gun owners, and all citizens, that our founding fathers’ written decree endowed us with: the right to bear arms.”

The CRPA’s excitement was joined by Sheriffs from all over the state.  Tom Allman, Mendocino County Sheriff, said, “This important decision is in line with many California Sheriffs who currently issue Concealed Weapon Permits. Allowing good citizens the right to protect themselves is something that many sheriffs have been doing for years. I am looking forward to working with other law enforcement administrators who desire to discuss this and see how this can help make California a safer place to live, work and retire.”

On Friday, February 21, San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore wrote to the County Board of Supervisors that he will not seek en banc review of Peruta, et al. v. County of San Diego, which means the appeals court decision stands. The ruling applies to the entire 9th Circuit and we are already seeing Sheriffs from other counties make changes in line with the decision. For example, on February 20, Orange County, California Sheriff Sandra Hutchens moved forward with changes to the concealed-carry application process to comply with the ruling.

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ABOUT THE CRPA
The CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. The CRPA is a California non-profit corporation, independently controlled by its own Board of Directors. CRPA’s members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, and the general public.  Historically, the CRPA has played an important role in promoting the shooting sports by conducting state championship matches for adults and young shooters, teaching firearms safety and supporting state teams to the national championships each year.