SAF BACKS LAWSUIT OVER HANDGUN BAN IN NORTHERN MARIANAS

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation today joined in supporting a lawsuit that challenges the ban on possession and use of handguns in the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern Marianas.

Joining SAF in supporting this legal action are the National Rifle Association’s Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund and Hawaii Defense Foundation. Plaintiffs in the case are Li-Rong Radich and David Radich. Named as the defendant is James C. Deleon Guerrero in his official capacity as commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. Plaintiffs are represented by attorney Dan Guidotti in the Marianas, and Glen Ellyn, Ill., attorney David G. Sigale.

“The Second Amendment does not just apply to the continental United States and Hawaii,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “It also applies to territories under U.S. jurisdiction. The issue is a fundamental civil right, not only to possess a handgun, but also to use firearms for self-defense purposes, which is currently banned in the Northern Marianas.”

“We are delighted to join the NRA Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund and Hawaii Defense Foundation in this action,” added SAF General Counsel Miko Tempski. “We’re always eager to work with our friends and allies when it comes to facing a common problem.”

Gottlieb noted that SAF was quick to provide grant funding for this legal challenge, explaining that it follows naturally the foundation’s challenge of the Chicago handgun ban that was nullified by the U.S. Supreme Court four years ago.

“The Chicago case,” Gottlieb said, “incorporated the Second Amendment to the states, and to our territories. If that victory is to mean something, we will challenge any such gun ban. It follows our goal of winning firearms freedom, one lawsuit at a time.”