Montana Attorney General Tim Fox Joins in Fighting New York Anti-Gun Law

Attorney General Tim Fox announced on Tuesday, May 6, that Montana joined with 21 other states in urging the 2nd Circuit Court to review the constitutionality of a New York statute that limits an individual’s Second Amendment right to bear arms.

"The state of New York through their governor Mario Cuomo, who has been on a crusade to stamp out the Second Amendment rights that citizens enjoy under the Constitution, a while back pushed through a law called the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Control Act," Fox said.

"It's a sweeping law that basically takes away a large portion of New York's citizens Second Amendment rights," Fox said. "So, a number of New York residents filed a lawsuit to challenge the legislation. Now, it has worked it's way to to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, and I have joined Attorneys General from 21 other states to file a friend of the court brief."

Fox described how the New York law has affected gun owners in that state.

"In a nutshell, the bill bans an entire class of firearms, namely semi-automatic weapons," Fox said. "It also has restrictions on when, where and how you can purchase ammunition. So, I was glad to stand up with my fellow Attorneys General to protect our Second Amendment rights."

Fox said a large number of law-abiding Americans favor the use of semi-automatic weapons for both hunting and self-protection.

"Semi-automatic weapons have become the weapons of choice," Fox said.

Fox said he was unable to discuss the case of Markus Kaarma here in Missoula because the Attorney General's office is handling a part of the investigation, and he said it would not be appropriate for him to comment at this time.