Arizona has joined a coalition of 22 states before the Ninth Circuit defending the Second Amendment rights of American citizens. The states are asking the court to declare California’s law limiting magazine capacities as unconstitutional.
Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming are filing a legal brief at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Duncan v. Rodriquez – a challenge of California’s unconstitutional ban on extremely common magazines for firearms.
In the amicus brief, the states’ attorneys general note that California Penal Code 32310 violates the Second Amendment: “This Court, therefore, should not apply a balancing approach – like strict scrutiny or intermediate scrutiny – to a ban on arms commonly used by law abiding citizens for lawful purposes. Such an approach would be inconsistent with the decisions of the Supreme Court in Heller, McDonald, and Caetano.”
“The enumerated right to bear arms reflected in the Second Amendment is fundamental and predates the Bill of Rights. The right is important to millions of Americans, including many of our most vulnerable citizens living in disadvantaged communities. The arms at issue in these proceedings are commonly used by millions of law-abiding citizens for a myriad of lawful purposes,” added the attorneys general.
On Thursday, the Arizona State Senate approved HB 2770, dubbed the mask “Freedom Bill,” sponsored by Rep. Joseph Chaplik. The bill asserts a business is not required to enforce a state, city, town, county or other jurisdiction’s mask mandate on the businesses’ premises.
BREAKING NEWS! HB 2770, the mask freedom bill just passed the Senate. Not one Democrat voted for it. They hate freedom. Now it goes to Ducey. Thanks Rep @JosephChaplik. pic.twitter.com/cPVxpR0EXc
“The need for this bill now is more evident than ever,” said Chaplik. “Recent developments show that without a protection in law, businesses and their customers are subject to the decisions of local rogue politicians who want to control you indefinitely. This bill did not receive any Democrat votes throughout the entire process. I would hope the Governor signs this bill as it does exactly what his temporary executive orders do, but now permanently.”
The bill will now be transmitted to Governor Ducey.
On June 17, 2020, the governor issued Executive Order 2020-40 authorizing a county, city or town, based on conditions in the jurisdiction, to adopt policies regarding the wearing of face coverings in public for the purpose of mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
We appreciate what the governor did today in making mask enforcement optional for businesses.
That is exactly what my bill, #HB2770 was written to do, but long term.
The local mandates were a divisive policy without any data to back them up.
PHOENIX – House Bill 2111, dubbed the Second Amendment Firearm Freedom Act, is headed to Governor Doug Ducey’s desk. The Arizona Senate passed the bill in 17-13 bipartisan vote on Tuesday.
The Act, sponsored by Representative Leo Biasiucci (R-5), prohibits state, county, and local governments from using resources to implement or enforce federal actions that are inconsistent with Arizona law regarding the regulation of firearms.
The Arizona Constitution prohibits the impairment of the right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of the person’s self or the state. This does not authorize individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of people (Ariz. Const. art. 2 § 26).
“Arizona stands with law-abiding gun owners,” said Biasiucci in a press release. “The Second Amendment guarantees vital liberties, just like the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech and the Fourth Amendment prevents unreasonable searches and seizures. If the zealous gun-grabbers in Washington try to disarm citizens in the name of political posturing, we’re not going to allow it in Arizona.”
HB 2111 was passed by the House in a party line vote in February.
WINDOW ROCK – On Monday, Gov. Doug Ducey signed Senate Bill 1802, which officially declares Aug. 14 as National Navajo Code Talkers Day throughout the state of Arizona. In accordance with the bill, if National Navajo Code Talkers Day falls on a day other than Sunday, the Sunday following Aug. 14 is to be observed as the holiday.
I’m proud to sign legislation that makes National Navajo Code Talkers day an official holiday, and I thank Senator Peshlakai for leading on this initiative. @jamescita 3/3
“It’s wonderful to have the State of Arizona honor and recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers. It’s long overdue. We only have a few Navajo Code Talkers with us to this day, but we pay tribute to all of them and their families. Their legacy is strengthened with today’s signing of this bill and we hope that this will also help to share the stories of our Code Talkers so that many more people throughout the state are aware of everything that they gave for our country. Thank you to Arizona Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai, a member of the Navajo Nation, for sponsoring the bill and getting it through the State Legislature,” said Navajo Nation President Nez.
“The Navajo people have had many warriors throughout our history, but today’s recognition by the State of Arizona is very special for our Navajo Code Talkers and their families. We appreciate the support of the state legislators and Gov. Ducey. Words will never be enough to express our admiration and appreciation for the Navajo Code Talkers, but today’s signing of Senate Bill 1802 is a great honor. We continue to honor and pray for all of our Navajo Code Talkers and their loved ones,” said Vice President Lizer.
“It’s important that all Arizonans remember the service and bravery of the Navajo Code Talkers,” said Sen. Peshlakai. “Their crucial service during WWII will not be forgotten, and we will continue to honor them every August 14th. Thank you to everyone who supported Senate Bill 1802.”
“The Navajo Code Talkers are American heroes. They assisted on every major operation involving the U.S. Marines in the Pacific theatre, using their native language to come up with an unbreakable code. More than 400 Code Talkers answered the call to serve our nation, and Arizona is grateful for their dedication to protecting our nation. I’m proud to sign legislation that makes National Navajo Code Talkers day an official holiday, and I thank Senator Peshlakai for leading on this initiative,” said Ducey.
Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating Aug. 14 as National Navajo Code Talkers Day. In 2014, the state of Arizona passed legislation declaring August 14 as Navajo Code Talkers Day in the state. The bill signed on Monday recognizes the national proclamation signed by Reagan.
The Arizona Department of Emergency In Military Affairs welcomed home more than 120 service members returning after completing their respective assignments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Spartan Shield.
The 3666 Support Maintenance Company welcome home ceremony was presided over by Major General Michael T. McGuire, Arizona’s Adjunct General on Friday evening at the Goldwater Air National Base in Phoenix.
Operation Spartan Shield (OSS) is a U.S. Department of Defense operation in the Middle East. Operation Spartan Shield is a combined forces contingency operation. Task Force Spartan is the U.S. Army component of OSS.
