PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined an amicus brief seeking to protect Second Amendment rights. 

The brief was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in the case of Matthew Grace v. District of Columbia. The District of Columbia banned most of its law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms unless they could provide a “good reason” to exercise the right to bear arms.  The brief supports the district court decision that found these restrictions on obtaining a permit to carry a firearm unconstitutional. 

“The Second Amendment gives law-abiding citizens the fundamental right to bear arms for the defense of themselves, their families and their homes.  As Attorney General, I have a strong interest in the protection of our law-abiding citizen’s right to keep and bear arms,” stated Jackley.

The brief argues that the Amici States have a compelling interest in promoting public safety, preventing crime, and reducing the harmful effects of firearm violence without infringing the constitutional rights of their citizens. The brief also argues that most firearms, when carried by law-abiding licensed citizens, does not lead to more crime.

 The Attorneys General from the following states are participating:  Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

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