'Sporting purposes' requirement must go

National Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea reported Friday that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) is now proposing a more restrictive policy regarding what shotguns can be legally imported into the U.S.  The authority they claim to justify the new restrictions stems from the Gun Control Act of 1968, which bans the importation of firearms, except under certain exemptions.  The exemption by which shotgun importation has been permitted since then is the "sporting purposes test," whereby the Attorney General (currently, the rabidly anti-gun Attorney General Eric Holder) is to approve importation of firearms "generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes."

Now, the BATFE wants to greatly narrow the universe of shotguns that meet the requirements for that exemption.  One way they justify that is to narrowly define what constitutes sport.  From the BATFE's proposal (pdf file):

Further, both studies concluded that the scope of “sporting purposes” did not include all lawful activity, but was limited to traditional sports such as hunting, skeet shooting, and trap shooting.

This way, they can get around the pesky reality that 3-Gun and other Practical Shooting sports are conducted with just the kinds of firearms the forcible citizen disarmament lobby most wants to restrict.

As David says:

So now the fedgov presumes the power to be the final arbiter of “authorized sports”?

Besides, even if AG Holder decides that a Saiga 12 gauge is not "particularly suitable for" sporting purposes ("traditional" sporting purposes, now, remember)--and count on him deciding just that--on what basis can anyone claim that such a shotgun is not "readily adaptable" to such sports?

Here's the thing, though: none of that matters.  The Supreme Court's Heller decision, while hardly a cause for unreserved celebration among those of us who believe that shall not be infringed means what it says, does at least make clear that "sporting purposes" have nothing to do with the right guaranteed by the Second Amendment:

As the quotations earlier in this opinion demonstrate, the inherent right of self-defense has been central to the Second Amendment right.

Clearly, then, any law (or BATFE ruling) that restricts firearms because of their unsuitability for "sport" violates the Second Amendment.  The NRA says it will explore options for the removal of a "sporting purposes" requirement for firearms.  A frequent critic of the NRA, I fully agree with their decision to pursue that necessary reform.

A quote I have once seen attributed to the late Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, but have been unable to verify as actually having come from him, is nevertheless exactly right.  If memory serves, it goes like this: "The Second Amendment does not guarantee the right to keep and bear sporting goods."

See also:

• So what if they are 'weapons of war'?
  
• The right to keep and bear arms is not based on 'sporting purposes'
  
• AR-15s have a 'sporting purpose'--but don't need one
  
• What do ‘sporting purposes’ have to do with Second Amendment?
  
• "Sporting purposes?" SPORTING PURPOSES?!? I've got your sporting purposes hanging.
  
• The ATF shotgun study: "Nothing less than an assault on an aspect of our culture, which includes military traditions and interests."
  

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Speaking of the BATFE, I would be remiss if I failed to draw readers' attention to the latest developments David Codrea and Mike Vanderboegh have recently reported in the budding "Project Gunwalker" scandal.  See:

• Phoenix ATF reportedly retaliating against ‘Project Gunwalker’ whistleblower
  
• Mexican press picks up on 'Project Gunwalker'
  
• "We do not permit the exit of arms to Mexico." Riiight. El Diaro translation, cleaned up by, ironically enough, Avatar at CleanUpATF.org
  
• Why does link for Mexican newspaper redirect to the FBI’s website?
  
• Update: A Sipsey Street Exclusive: Senator Grassley is on the Project Gunwalker scandal case -- big time.
• Update II: BREAKING NEWS: Grassley Writes Melson on Project Gunwalker

Call Senator Chuck Grassley's (R-IA) office, and ask the staffer if he/she is familiar with the "Brian Terry Whistleblower"/"Project Gunwalker" case, if Sen. Grassley wrote a letter to ATF Director about it, and if they will make the letter public and give you any other information.  Here are the relevant phone numbers:

• Washington D.C. office: (202)-224-3744
• Des Moines office: (515)-288-4415

You can also go here, to send an email by webform.