U.S. appellate court finds 2nd Amendment doesn't protect concealed-carry guns

On Thursday, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals voted, 7-4, to uphold California's rules for issuing permits to carry a concealed weapon only if an applicant has "good cause," like having a stalker, working in a business where you routinely carry lots of cash, or fearing your celebrity makes you a mark. "We hold that the Second Amendment does not preserve or protect a right of a member of the general public to carry concealed firearms in public," said Circuit Judge William A. Fletcher, writing for the majority.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit appellate court had struck down the California law two years ago, and the Supreme Court may step in with a final verdict. One federal appeals court has struck down a total ban on concealed-carry guns in Illinois, but three other appellate courts have upheld restrictions like California's. The NRA, which filed the original lawsuit with San Diego County videographer Edward Peruta, called the ruling "out of touch." Gun safety advocates cheered the decision.

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