Understanding the Implications of the Indiana Court’s Ruling on Machine Guns

Another Blow to Our Second Amendment Rights

The recent decision by the Indiana Court of Appeals ruling that the Second Amendment does not apply to machine guns is yet another concerning precedent in the ongoing struggle to preserve our constitutionally protected rights. While many courts across the United States continue to grapple with firearms legislation, this ruling misinterprets the original intent of the Founders and moves us dangerously closer to the erosion of our fundamental freedoms.

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we are committed to not only providing top-notch training in safe, responsible firearms usage, but also to standing firm in our belief that an armed citizenry is essential to the preservation of liberty. We find the Indiana court’s stance deeply alarming and a stark deviation from what the Second Amendment promises and protects.

The Core of the Decision

In the recent case highlighted by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, defendant Christopher J. Jones challenged his conviction for possessing a machine gun, arguing that the charge violated his constitutional rights under the Second Amendment. Jones invoked the 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen Supreme Court decision, which emphasized a historical-tradition standard of gun regulation. However, the Indiana Court of Appeals dismissed this claim, asserting that automatic weapons are not protected because they are not “in common use” and fall outside the scope of what the amendment was designed to cover.

But does this logic hold up when we consider what the Founders really intended?

What “In Common Use” Really Means

The phrase “in common use” has been weaponized in many courtrooms to justify the ban on certain types of firearms — most recently, automatic weapons. However, this criteria cherry-picks historical context and ignores the technological evolution of firearms. At the founding of this nation, the musket was standard issue. It was a military arm and also commonly used by civilians. The Founders made no differentiation between civilian and military use when crafting the Second Amendment.

The intent was clear — to allow the people to arm themselves sufficiently to resist tyranny if necessary. Today’s court decisions frequently disregard that purpose in favor of contemporary political agendas pushing for greater gun control.

The Slippery Slope of Legislative Overreach

The more we allow courts to define “reasonable” limitations on the Second Amendment, the more we open the door to future infringements. The logic used in Indiana’s decision could just as easily be applied to

• Semi-automatic rifles falsely labeled as “assault weapons”
• Standard capacity magazines
• AR platform rifles, which are widely owned and used for sport and defense

Rather than interpreting the Bill of Rights as a shield from government power, decisions like this convert the Constitution into a privilege list handed down by the ruling class. That is not the vision of liberty that American patriots have defended for generations.

Firearms Training as a Pillar of Responsible Gun Ownership

At Fortress Firearms Training, we don’t just teach gun safety and marksmanship. We educate our students on the vital role the Second Amendment plays in American history and everyday life. Whether you’re a new gun owner in South Carolina or a seasoned shooter looking to sharpen your skills, our training emphasizes:

• Situational awareness and self-defense scenarios
• Legal considerations for concealed carry and home defense
• Firearms maintenance, use, and storage
• The importance of preserving constitutional rights

By equipping citizens with the tools they need to be safe, effective, and legally compliant gun owners, we are helping to build a stronger, freer society. When legislators and judges seek to chip away at our rights, it’s up to citizens to stand informed and prepared.

Machine Guns and Misconceptions

There’s a lot of misinformation surrounding what a machine gun is and how it functions. Anti-gun lawmakers and media outlets typically exploit the general public’s lack of understanding to paint all automatic weapons with a broad and sensationalized brush. But here are the facts:

• Fully automatic weapons have been heavily regulated since the 1934 National Firearms Act
• Machine guns manufactured after 1986 are effectively banned from civilian ownership
• Ownership of pre-1986 lawful machine guns requires an extensive ATF background check and tax stamp

These current regulations demonstrate that our nation already enforces formidable restrictions. Claiming that additional bans are necessary is both inaccurate and unconstitutional. Instead of tightening the noose further, we need to have honest discussions about the value of an armed and informed populace.

Protecting Our Rights Starts with Education

Our founding documents are not living suggestions – they are principled frameworks meant to withstand the changing tides of public opinion. Every American should be concerned when courts reinterpret these documents with modern political agendas in mind.

The Indiana court’s ruling is not just about one man’s possession of a machine gun. It represents a dangerous precedent that, if echoed across the country, could unravel the very freedoms upon which our nation stands. That’s why we urge all liberty-loving Americans to stay vigilant and educated.

Train With Purpose, Defend With Confidence

If you value your Second Amendment rights and want to be prepared to defend yourself and your family, proper training is essential. At Fortress Firearms Training, we offer instruction grounded in both practical skill and constitutional awareness. Don’t just own a firearm — learn how to use it responsibly, effectively, and in accordance with your God-given rights.

Join us in standing for freedom. Learn more or sign up for one of our training courses today at www.fftcwp.org.

Conclusion

The threat to our rights doesn’t always come with flashing lights and breaking news. Sometimes it quietly enters through courtrooms where judges, far removed from the intentions of this nation’s Founders, determine what they believe should be allowed. As Americans – and as firearms owners – we must stay fiercely committed to ensuring that our rights are not redefined out of existence.

Stand strong, stay educated, and never apologize for defending your liberty.