Opinion
Massive news for Second Amendment advocates! The Supreme Court has announced that it will conference three major gun rights cases on January 10th, 2025. This could be a turning point for constitutional freedoms as we know them. Let’s break down the significance of these cases and what’s at stake.
What’s Happening on January 10?
The Supreme Court is set to discuss the following cases:
- Snope v. Brown – This case challenges Maryland’s ban on AR-15s and other so-called “assault weapons.” These firearms, better described as semi-automatic rifles, are among the most popular firearms owned by Americans today.
- Ocean State Tactical v. Rhode Island – This case addresses the state’s ban on what anti-gunners label “large capacity magazines,” but which are, in reality, standard magazines for most modern firearms.
- Gray v. Jennings – Out of Delaware, this case involves the standards for issuing preliminary injunctions, which are critical for protecting gun owners’ rights while a case is being decided.
The Justices will decide whether to grant certiorari (“cert”), meaning they agree to hear the case on its merits. This decision requires at least four votes among the nine Justices.
Why This Matters
These cases strike at the heart of anti-gun policies that restrict semi-automatic rifles and standard-capacity magazines, both of which are vital for self-defense and are explicitly protected under the Second Amendment. The Court’s decision could set a major precedent, especially on whether such bans are unconstitutional following the landmark Bruen decision.
Mark Smith, from the Four Boxes Diner, highlights that these cases provide the Supreme Court an opportunity to address anti-gun laws in “blue states” where AR-15 bans and magazine limits are common.
Importantly, as Smith notes, there’s no possibility of a “circuit split” (conflicting rulings among appellate courts) on these issues because such bans don’t exist in pro-gun states.
What to Watch For
Mark outlines two key steps in the process:
- Relisting—If the Justices tentatively agree to hear a case, they may relist it for further review at the January 17 conference. This extra step allows Chief Justice John Roberts to ensure procedural issues, like standing or jurisdiction, are resolved before proceeding.
- Granting Cert – If the Court grants cert, it’s game on. A ruling on these cases could solidify protections for AR-15 ownership and standard-capacity magazines nationwide.
Challenges Ahead
Anti-gun groups argue that the Court should wait for a circuit split before addressing these bans. But as Mark Smith explains, this argument is flawed because gun bans are only enacted in anti-gun states, limiting the scope of appellate court rulings.
The Bottom Line
January 10 could be a big day for gun rights in America. While nothing is guaranteed, the Supreme Court taking these cases seriously is a step in the right direction. As Mark puts it, “The ducks are lining up.” If the Court grants cert, we could see a game-changing decision that reaffirms our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Stay tuned for updates, and as always, stay informed and engaged in the fight for your rights. Follow the Four Boxes Diner on YouTube for the latest news and analysis!
SCOTUS must do their duty, striking down all so-called assault weapon and standard magazine bans. They have ignored bans on ARs for decades, despite Heller precedent clearly protecting AR’s and typical magazines sold with firearms. If the judges continue to ignore these unconstitutional infringements, the court is irrelevant…
I think it became irrelevant a long time ago. And Trump’s picks have proven to be as wishy washy as Roberts.
I sure hope President Trump gets at least one more SCOTUS pick during his second term. Two would be best. I think Sotomayor is about ready to hang it up. Biden and the socialists were sure trying to get her to retire so they could get laughing girl Harris on the court. They think she should always get rewarded for being an incompetent political failure. Now is the time for Sotomayor to retire!
3% … I can possably see three
OV, I sure like how you think. We got lucky limp brain Biden got none. The great thing is after Trump finishes his last term Vance will have two terms as president. Donald Jr.and Eric Trump will probably get involved in politics as candidates down the road also. I really think there’s a 88% chance that Republicans will keep the presidency indefinitely. (Senate and House control also) I think the democrat socialist party is dead in American politics and they can RIH.
I believe that Biden appointed one.
He did. Picked the one woman that can’t define a woman.
dei on the court as bad as it gets
Wild Bill …Yes the one who could not define a woman , But could participate in the broadway show
“A Queer Juliet”
Bill, I totally forgot about that crazy woman. Thanks.
two crazy women
What is a woman, again?
having a court that could read and understand constitution as written would be great, get the government back under control with the people in control
I wish it was possible to clone Clarence Thomas and fill each new vacancy with his clone.
Also, the most senior of the justices, Clarence Thomas, may very well hang up his robe. Fortunately, there’s Donald Trump to pick his successor. A retirement or two by the lib minority on the court, would be icing on the cake.
Wass, absolutely. I think you’re right about Justice Thomas. This is my opinion only but I think Justice Thomas is the greatest justice the court has had in decades, possibly ever. He’s an amazing man.
As far as the firearm debate goes, I think Thomas is tied with Sciala
Oldman, Justice Scalia was a great justice too. I wonder what “really” happened to Scalia ? They have his COD as natural causes. Bullshit . I will never believe that,….who got to him?
CIA?
My opinion is that it was done by the ‘corporation’. The inside workings of a spook company that has the means to kill someone and make it look like a heart attack.
He was too conservative and couldn’t be bought. My opinion and it would take a lot to change it. Sorta like asking the question of how did the folks doing the autopsy on what was left of Kennedy’s brain, lose it? Answer?They had to because it would disprove the one gun theory of the Warren Commision.
Oldman … You mean like carbon monoxide poisioning is impossible to trace ?
OV. For what I know about that gas, it leaves something in the tissues that can be traced for quite awhile in a cadaver. I have heard from somewhere that there a some poisons that simulate a fatal heart attack that will disappear in blood and tissues in a couple hours after death. I believe they are man made.
A gas that is formed by mixing ammonia and bleach.
So an assassin would have to be wearing a gas mask to do the deed, right ?
Oldman … Garden hose from car exaust while target is sleeping .
that has been done, body was moved to car to look like suicide, bedroom was scrubbed mattress flipped ,dont remember what tipped the police off
Oldman … I was just going on a news story local . Woman died in appartment no signs of trama said she had complained of dizzy and head ache . blamed carbon monoxide . BUT local news what do they really know ?
Oldman … I know that even though our atmosphere is 70% nitrogen pure nitrogen will suffocate you . When we had to enter those big power transformers (which nitrogen is used to help insulate by removing oxygen) we had to pump breathing air in continously to be able to stay in and work .
pure oxygen will kill too, that is why they check blood gasses
swmft …Correct thats why they called it breathing air it was a mixture .
other possible breathable mixes https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/28280/could-we-breathe-an-atmosphere-that-is-not-nitrogen-based
Oldman … That’s the name I was trying to think of . Went on a hunting trip and never came back .
OM,I sure agree with you on that.
Absolutely nothing about that case made any sense. As I seem to recall, he was at a hunting lodge, either run or frequented by Deep State types, who were not his friends. Why????
He died under mysterious circumstances and as I also seem to recall, his family was okay with the weird determination regarding his death by the Coroner; as well as no autopsy. Like, WTF?
Seriously?
deep state did not like him could not be controlled, think about addresses of scotus conservative justices published and perp cant be found…yet jan 6 people can be a HUGE number of goobers need to be fired and jailed
Trump’s previous picks have proven themselves to be rather disappointing.
Given age and health, it is not unlikely that Thomas and Alito are not long for the court. I fear a following unfriendly president replacing the pair of them. Court would flip in a horrifying manner. Unless it looks almost certain Vance will be #48, might be best for them to both resign at least by 2027. Even that would depend upon 2026 congressional elections – if congress flips blue they could deny confirmation through end of Trump’s term!
Amazing as advances over the last couple years have been – our position remains fragile and we must remain vigilant.
Finnky , if Justice Alito and Justice Thomas are to retire from the bench anytime after 20Jan’25 is the time to act. I would bet $500 that both will retire during the upcoming Trump administration. President Trump needs to already be thinking about who he will nominate to replace these two great men. I’m sure that he has and probably already knows who he will nominate.
mat gaetz?
Swmft … Why not !
He He made you react !
3% probably needs to be just prior to the mid term election Just in Case !
Snicker did it again
Thomas wants to retire. Sotomayor has major health problems. Trump will not be fooled again. 2020 was an education for him. He now knows who he can trust and more importantly who he absolutely cannot trust. The 47 administration is going to be a lot different.