TEXAS LEGISLATORS FILE LAWSUIT TO PROTECT SECOND AMENDMENT
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********************* PRESS RELEASE ********************* TEXAS LEGISLATORS SUE CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS COUNTRY IN DEFENSE OF RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
Atlanta, Chicago, Boston among defendants that are attempting to bankrupt gun industry with frivolous lawsuits. Miami-Dade County, L.A. County, and the District of Columbia are also defendants.
POC: Trey Blocker (512) 481-0168 815 Brazos St., Ste. #700 Austin, Texas 78701 November 15, 2000 libertydefense.com treyblocker@l...
AUSTIN - Since late 1998, 19 cities, 5 counties have filed lawsuits against the gun manufacturers in an attempt to achieve de facto gun control through the courts and ultimately bankrupt the gun industry.
That is why, on November 15th 2000, over two-dozen Texas legislators and several gun stores will bring suit against those cities and counties for conspiring to violate the Second Amendment and the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
"We are filing this lawsuit to stop these cities from damaging our right to keep and bear arms and the right of gun stores to conduct their businesses free from harassing lawsuits," said Representative Suzanna Hupp.
Hupp, known as a passionate defender of the 2nd amendment ever since her tragic involvement in the 1991 Luby's massacre in Killeen, is joined by former Texas State Senator and Civil Liberties Defense Foundation President Jerry Paterson in calling for an end to legislating from the bench.
"We want to put a stop, once and for all, to the attempts by litigious attorneys to hold lawful industries liable for the criminal misuse of their products," Patterson said. "If we do not stop them now, the alcohol, automotive, and countless other, industries will be attacked next, sending prices skyward and affecting the availability and affordability of products for the average consumer."
The lawsuit, copies of which can be obtained on the Civil Liberties Defense Foundation website at www.libertydefense.com, alleges that the defendants have conspired to infringe upon the 2nd Amendment rights of Texans and the rights of gun stores as protected under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and other relief proper under the law.
"The Second Amendment is a sacred part of the U.S. Constitution, and we will not stand by as cities in other parts of the country try to damage the rights of Texans," said State Representative Carl Isett of Lubbock.
DEFENDANTS: Atlanta, Georgia Boston, Massachusetts Bridgeport, Connecticut Chicago, Illinois Camden, New Jersey Cincinnati, Ohio Miami, Florida Newark, New Jersey Gary, Indiana New Orleans, Louisiana St. Louis, Missouri Philadelphia, Pennsylvania San Francisco, California Wilmington, Delaware Compton, California West Hollywood, California Sacramento, California San Mateo, California Berkeley, California Los Angeles County, California Miami-Dade County, Florida Camden County, New Jersey Wayne County, Michigan Alameda County, California District of Columbia
PLAINTIFFS: Rep. Ray Allen Rep. Leo Berman Rep. Dennis Bonnen Rep. Wayne Christian Rep. Robby Cook Rep. Frank Corte Rep. Mary Denny Rep. Rick Green Rep. Kent Grusendorf Rep. Judy Hawley Rep. Talmage Heflin Rep. Harvey Hildebran Rep. Charlie Howard Rep. Suzanna Hupp Rep. Terry Keel Rep. Jim Keffer Rep. Carl Isett Rep. Mike Krusee Rep. Gene Seaman Rep. Robert Talton Rep. Ron Wilson Rep. Arlene Wolhgemuth
CLDF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation former in 1999 by several former and current Texas legislators for the purpose of providing educational information relating to the preservation of the freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, and to provide legal services necessary for the protection of those rights. |