Another big legal win for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) in a federal district court in Texas. While some sections of the country seem dead-set on putting more restrictions on firearms owners -especially the legal ones, other parts of the nation -even in federal courts- see things somewhat differently.

In the case of Mance v. Holder (yes, that Holder- he's one of the defendants) U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor of the Northern District of Texas , Fort Worth Division, ruled that current law requiring residency for handgun transfers is unconstitutional, saying the "federal interstate transfer ban burdens conduct that falls within the scope of the Second Amendment."

The case involves residents of the District of Columbia and Texas - but CCRKBA and Second Amendment Foundation head Alan Gottlieb says it has "far reaching ramifications." The issue is a federal requirement under the Gun Control Act of 1968 that prohibited interstate handgun transfers to citizens who are not residents of the state in which the transfer occurs. Rifles and shotguns aren't included in that prohibition, and the plaintiffs argued -successfully at least to Judge O'Connor- that the prohibition makes no sense with the advent of the National Instant Crime Check (NICS) which went online in 1993.

So, the plaintiffs sued, arguing the law puts an undue burden on a citizen's right to exercise the Second Amendment. Judge O'Conner applied the "strict scrutiny" level of examination to the law and agreed, saying "The federal interstate handgun transfer ban is unique compared to other firearms restrictions because it does not target certain people (such as felons or the mentally ill), conduct (such as carrying firearms into government buildings or schools), or distinctions among certain classes of firearms (such as fully automatic weapons or magazine capacity)."

"By failing to provide specific information to demonstrate the reasonable fit between this ban and illegal sales and lack of notice in light of the Brady Act amendments to the 1968 Gun Control Act, the ban is not substantially related to address safety concerns. Thus, even under intermediate scrutiny, the federal interstate handgun transfer ban is unconstitutional on its face."

According to Gottlieb, the lawsuit isn't just a victory for gun owners, it's a validation of the NICS system's making a ban on the interstate transfer of handguns not just illegal, but unnecessary.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2192872.jpeg> Charles Theodore "Chuck" Buck.

This is doubtless one case that will be appealed, but it's another of those cases where the "facts of the matter" should influence the decision more than the "feelings-based approach" of many who would, if they could, end all commerce in firearms.
We'll keep you posted.

A quick word on the recent passing of Charles Theodore "Chuck" Buck, the longtime chairman of Buck Knives. Mr. Buck wasn't just the third generation of Bucks to head the eponymous knife company, he was the first real "industry celebrity" I met when I began the wires 14 years ago (yesterday, as a matter of fact).

I'd met plenty of people who were considered celebrities in a lot of areas, but none before Chuck Buck had ever held an honored place in my pocket since my childhood. In fact, when I went to meet him, I had my time-trusted Buck in my pocket. Not as a conversation starter, but as a habit.

When we talked, I found him to be warm, friendly and much more interested in why I'd decided to start The Outdoor Wire than talking about his family business. Only when I asked him about his faith did he lock in on something he considered very important.

I'd noticed that he included a simple, yet potentially life-changing message with every new Buck knife. The message wasn't just a testament of his faith, it makes it obvious that the Buck Knife company- and the Buck family- have a Senior Partner they considered able and willing to help everyone: "If any of you are troubled or perplexed and looking for answers, we invite you to look to Him, for God loves you." I subsequently learned that Chuck added that to the original message written by his father.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to meet Chuck Buck was richer for the opportunity. Like many others who have gone before him, we're looking forward to a future reunion.

A celebration of Chuck's life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13 at Real Life Ministries, 1866 North Cecil Road, Post Falls, Idaho. A final memorial will be held May 13, 2015 in San Diego, CA. If you wish to send something, the family is asking that donations be made in lieu of flowers. Memorials may be made to Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse www.samaritanspurse.org; or by calling 1-800-528-1980. Please ask that the call be directed to donations in honor of Charles T. Buck.

--Jim Shepherd