Attorney General Alan Wilson of South Carolina has joined two amicus briefs opposing laws in California and New Jersey that restrict the Second Amendment rights of citizens. The briefs, supported by more than 20 other attorneys general from across the country, challenge specific regulations in both states.
In California, a law requires individuals to undergo a background check each time they purchase ammunition. Additionally, ammunition sales must be conducted face-to-face with a seller licensed in California. Residents can avoid a six- to seven-day wait for background check results by registering their firearms with the state’s Automated Firearms System; however, this system reportedly denies purchases at least 11% of the time.
New Jersey has enacted legislation banning the public carry of firearms in so-called “sensitive places.” These locations include zoos, parks, beaches, venues where alcohol is served, entertainment facilities, and public recreation areas.
“As our states’ top prosecutors, we’re in favor of making our communities safer,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “These restrictions in California and New Jersey infringe on the Second Amendment rights of their citizens.”
“Our Founding Fathers did not restrict the right to bear arms to ‘non-sensitive’ places,” Attorney General Wilson continued. “This right is vital to those in high-crime areas where law enforcement is stretched thin. These citizens’ ability to purchase ammunition and protect themselves in public places should not be infringed upon.”
The South Carolina Attorney General serves as the state’s chief prosecutor and legal counsel, overseeing divisions that handle criminal matters and civil litigation while providing victim support services and educational resources statewide. The office also enforces laws related to securities and consumer protection and collaborates with law enforcement agencies on prosecutions (https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/).
You can read the briefs here and here.
