Does the right to keep and bear arms include the right to fire them? According to today’s 7th Circuit opinion [pdf], it does.
In order to keep a functional firearm in the home, Chicago residents must acquire a permit. Part of getting the permit involves proving proficiency through a live-fire course at a range. However, the city has an ordinance that prohibits anyone from opening a range in which the average person can do so. Read that again. Yep.
The 2nd Amendment Foundation sought an injunction against enforcement of the ordinance last year, but Judge Kendall upheld its constitutionality in District Court. The case moved to the 7th Circuit in April, and they were not pleased with the city.
Stung by the result of McDonald v. City of Chicago, the City quickly enacted an ordinance that was too clever by half. Recognizing that a complete gun ban would no longer survive Supreme Court review, the City required all gun owners to obtain training that included one hour of liveâ€range instruction, and then banned all live ranges within City limits.
Continued...