Received this e-mail today from U.S. Senator Chris Murphy’s (D. CT) re-election campaign:
When it comes to guns, Trump’s Supreme Court pick has the potential to set our movement back dramatically.
I am going to explain why, then I am going to ask you to take action and to forward this email to five friends. Because the truth is, the impact of this decision on gun violence hasn’t really been a focus, but it’s one where 90 percent of Americans are with us.
Here we go:
A little more than a decade ago, the Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban that was passed in Washington, D.C. It was a win for the gun lobby, but the court also declared in their ruling that Second Amendment rights were “not unlimited” and that it does not protect the right to “keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.”
Since then, the gun lobby has tried to test the limits of the Supreme Court’s decision by challenging in the courts a number of strong gun laws passed in states that have expanded background checks, banned assault weapons, protected victims of domestic abuse and more.
For the most part, the Supreme Court has declined to hear those cases, including one challenging the assault weapons ban passed in Connecticut shortly after Sandy Hook.
That could change — dramatically — with Trump’s pick to replace Anthony Kennedy.
Here is the truth: This pick could reopen a number of challenges to existing gun violence prevention laws, and it could open up potential challenges to new gun laws passed and signed into law by a new Congress and new president.
Like I said, this issue hasn’t gotten a lot of attention. But it’s one where the American people are with us. And when my colleagues ask, I want to make it clear to them that you know the stakes. That starts with making your voice heard:
Add Your Name: Tell the Senate to vote NO on any Supreme Court nominee who will vote to weaken laws that make our communities safer from gun violence. Then please forward this email to five friends so they understand what is at stake, as well.
During Judge Gorsuch’s nomination debate, the NRA spent more than $1 million dollars to support his confirmation. That’s because they know what’s on the line.
This vacancy raises the stakes even more. It’s important that we are ready with facts and that we make our voices heard.
Every best wish,
Chris Murphy
Click here to add your name.