Heller/McDonald/Starbucks-v-Brady

On Tuesday, March 2, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago. The case may well decide the scope and nature of gun laws in the United States for decades to come. The final decision will be handed down in a few months, most likely in June.

As we've reported in past alerts, McDonald is one of two challenges to the Chicago handgun ban that were filed immediately after gun owners' landmark 2008 victory in District of Columbia v. Heller. After the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled-wrongly-that 19th century cases denied any right to Second Amendment protection against state and local laws, both McDonald and the companion case, NRA v. City of Chicago, were appealed.

The Court agreed to hear the McDonald case, but since that decision would affect the NRA case equally, the NRA was also a party to the McDonald case, and the Court granted us a share of the oral argument time.

Brady push on Starbucks continues. As reported in February, the Brady Campaign has been plumbing the depths of desperation lately. In an attempt at maintaining its relevance, the beleaguered group has attacked Starbucks for allowing the lawful carry of firearms in its stores as provided for by state law.

As we've pointed out, the Brady Campaign has been quick to fabricate a "right" to feel free from fear, while angrily scoffing at the right to self-protection. To that end, last month the group encouraged its minions to sign a petition demanding that Starbucks establish a gun policy more restrictive than state law. "I demand that Starbucks stand up for the safety of its customers and prohibit guns in your [sic] retail establishments," the petition read.