BREAKING NEWS - US v Randy Price Case Ruling

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Serial numbers no longer required for firearms? One U.S. Judge Goodwin just ruled thus according to the Bruen Test. The Bruen Test is best described by Justice Clarence Thomas who wrote the majority opinion: “Only if a firearm regulation is consistent with this Nation’s historical tradition may a court conclude that the individual’s conduct falls outside the Second Amendment’s ‘unqualified command.” This generally refers to the 18th century only, particularly the year 1791. Decided on June 23, 2022, the Bruen Test is the new legal framework around which all U.S. laws will be tested…and most have been found wanting.

The Bruen Effect

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the  Bruen case, federal judges in at least a half-dozen different cases have cited the decision to eliminate gun laws including prohibitions on the manufacturing of homemade firearms, local assault weapons bans and bans on older teenagers carrying handguns. Dozens more cases have been filed and are awaiting decisions. Originally described as a narrow ruling, the nature of the last several court rulings are quickly expanding the purview to mean almost any firearms regulation.

The most recent decision concerning the Bruen Test is from the U.S. Judge Goodwin of the Southern district of West Virginia on a case from Randy Price. Mr. Price, of Ohio, was being prosecuted for the illegal possession of a handgun on two counts; one for his previous felony disbarring him from legal ownership and the other for the fact that the serial number had been removed. While convicted of the first charge, Judge Goodwin felt compelled to the second charge to be coming from an unconstitutional law.

Who was the Judge in US v Randy Price?

Judge Goodwin’s political background has not been discussed by other articles on the subject, so I felt it right to explore his and his family’s history with respect. Judge Goodwin was appointed in May 1995 by President Clinton. His daughter-in-law, Amy Shuler Goodwin served as communications director for Kemp Melton(Democrat), the mayor of Charleston, in the 1990s, and as state communications director for John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign.

She also served as communications director for Governors Bob Wise(D-WV) and Earl Ray Tomblin(D-WV). In 2014, Tomblin appointed her as commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Tourism and deputy secretary of commerce.[7][8] She served in the role until January 2017, when Governor Jim Justice(R-WV) was elected.

Amy Goodwin's husband, Judge Goodwin’s son, was a U.S. Attorney appointed by President Barack Obama and 2016 Democratic Candidate for governor in West Virginia. Amy Goodwin has gone on to be the first female mayor elected in Charleston, West Virginia. Judge Goodwin’s nephew Carte Goodwin briefly served as the West Virginia junior senator filling a vacancy. Judge Goodwin’s brother also chaired the West Virginia University Board of Directors. Suffice it to say, the Goodwin family has long lasting ties with the Democratic party and West Virginia’s institutions.

While Judge Goodwin and his family’s political affiliations might have suggested that he would have simply conferred a guilty verdict on the second charge, however he was forced not to. Serial numbers have not been common before mass production and were not legally required under commercial reasons until the 1930s.

US v Randy Price Conclusion

While the case originated with a simple traffic stop, clever law practice from Lex A. Coleman J.D. has been able to defeat one of the federal felonies against his client. Before going off and removing all your serial numbers(which is still a federal crime by the way), this ruling only affects Mr. Randy price. If the Attorney General and Justice Department wants to appeal the decision and try again at a higher court and then loses, then the decision would affect the Fourth Circuit of the Federal court system covering the states of Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. It would then need to be appealed to the Supreme court to apply to all 50 states and U.S. Territories.

Main Takeaways

• The Bruen Test is proving to be a powerful weapon in the hands of gun rights advocates.
• The at-home manufacture of firearms, often without serial numbers, may yet well be proven wholly legal as we already know it to be!