US vs. Miller Case

US vs. Miller Case

A Supreme Court case, US vs. Miller, was regarding the second amendment in the constitution of United States of America. This is considered as the most important case in the history of United States of America. Moreover, the position and stand of Miller was also very strong. Miller was active in the American gun politics debate. Both sides of the case were extremely strong, and were able to win the case. The case was prosecuted in the year 1939. The date for arguing was 30th March 1939, and the court gave its decision on 15th may. 1939. This case was the appeal from District court of US for the western district of Arkansas. The chief justice, of that time, Mr. Charles E. Hughes was leading the bench that consists of five more judges (Frye & Brian, 2008).

Case Scenario

US vs. Miller case involved a prosecution of criminal under the act of NFA 1934. NFA refers to the National Firearms Act that was used in this case. This case was passed in the response of public outcry regarding Saint Valentine's Day. The National firearms act requires many types of firearms to be registered with the Tax unit with a 200$ tax paid at the period of registration. This law was also applied on firearm if it was ever sold. Firearms that were included for the law were short barreled rifles, automatic firearms, and shotguns. The tax unit involved the unit of tobacco, explosives, ATF, Bureau of Alcohol, and firearm (Frye & Brian, 2008).

Defendants Layton and Miller filed a case that was challenging against the relevant section of NFA. The perspective of Layton and Miller was regarding the unconstitutional violation that is totally against of second Amendment. The respectable judge of District court, Mr. Heartsill Ragon was the first man who accepted this claim and dismissed the condemnation. The judge said that this court is supporting the opinion that new section is invalid and it is violating the second amendment of the Constitution. The judge Mr. Ragon did not provide any other explanation regarding his decision and reasons. It was the great success of Miller and Layton (Frye & Brian, 2008).

Furthermore, the government of United States of America appealed the decision of District court in Supreme Court of United States of America. The Supreme Court heard the case on 30th March, 1939. The Attorneys for the government argued four major points. The first point was that the purpose for the formation of NFA is to collect and measure revenue. The reason behind this point was regarding the authority of NFA that was under department of Treasury. The second point was regarding the transportation of shotgun (Levy, 2010). The attorneys said that both of the defendants transported the shotgun and that is the reason that they used it in the commerce of interstate. The third point was regarding the second amendments. The attorneys said that the second amendments have the potential to protect only the ownerships of firearms ...