North Carolina Upholds Self-Defense Right Of Permanent Residents

posted on April 28, 2015
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While some might assume that the Second Amendment applies solely to American citizens, there is a growing legal precedent for the view that all law-abiding residents are entitled the right to bear arms. A federal district court in North Carolina just ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny permanent resident non-citizens concealed-carry permits. This ruling is one of several in recent years in which courts have defended the right of non-citizens to own and carry firearms.

UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh wrote an insightful editorial on the ruling, which he views as correct. He made sure to point out that none of these rulings creates firearm rights for illegal aliens—only documented, long-term residents are eligible.

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William A. Bachenberg
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