On June 13, 2025, the United States Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in a challenge to Illinois' assault weapons ban.   Unlike much of what has been the norm of the DOJ since the early 1900s, this brief reflects that in fact the political agenda of the President has a material impact - as contrasted with the constitution - on the position taken by the President's administration.   To be fair, however, this brief could likewise signal that those now in charge of the DOJ are placing their oaths to the constitution at a much higher priority than the political agenda of some former presidents. 

The DOJ filed its amicus brief in a case pending in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Barnett v. Raoul (attorney general for the state of Illinois), Case Nos: 24-3060, 24-3061, 24-3062, 24-3063.  The DOJ asserts in its brief that the state of Illinois is constitutionally prohibited from banning AR15 rifles and accessories, such as large capacity magazines, under the Second Amendment.   

While it is important to read the entire brief, there are important comments throughout.  For example, the DOJ states its interest in filing the brief as follows:

"President Donald J. Trump has instructed his Administration to “protect the Second Amendment rights of all Americans.” Executive Order No. 14,206, Protecting Second Amendment Rights, 90 Fed. Reg. 9503 (Feb. 7, 2025). Attorney General Pamela Bondi has likewise instructed the Department of Justice “to use its full might to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.” Memo. from the U.S. Att’y Gen., Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force (Apr. 8, 2025).

Brief at p. 1

Tennesseans should be calling on the Department of Justice and, to get its ear, on those individuals who represent Tennessee in Congress for the DOJ to turn its focus to the Second Amendment abuses in Tennessee.  Existing laws such as the "intent to go armed" clause which makes it a crime to possess a firearm with the intent to be armed - even on your own property - must be struck down.  Laws which portend to restrict who can obtain permits or carry in public - which laws infringe the rights of individuals who can still lawful purchase, owner and possess firearms - must be struck down.  Laws which make it a crime to carry arms in public parks, on greenways, in the parks (local, state and national) within the state obviously violate the Second Amendment.  

Tennessee's government - its Legislature - is the poster child for intentional violations of the Second Amendment.  That would be predictable if Tennessee had government officials like Illinois but it does not - it is potentially worse.  Tennessee has had numerous governors who claim to be God fearing, constitutionally aware conservative Republicans yet they not only ignore but trample our rights using the Department of Safety and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.  Tennessee has had and currently has a Legislature comprised of a super majority of legislators who claim to be Republicans but who, like Speaker Cameron Sexton, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, Senator Jack  Johnson, Representative William Lamberth and several committee chairs, routinely not only ignore the Second Amendment but frequently propose and pass laws that make things worse while simultaneously killing good legislative proposals by blocking them from floor votes. 

Tennesseans should be calling on their Congressional delegation and the Department of Justice to bring the full force of that agency's newfound Second Amendment support with Patton-style aggression against the State of Tennessee, its Governor and its Legislative leaders for their intentional and repeated violations of the Second Amendment.

Schedule

• Registration: 8:30 am to 9:00 am
• Class: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm