imported post
Just a recap, for those that aren't familiar with how the Court does things.
Just before the Court annouced its grant of cert, the opposing attorneys were called in to a special meeting with some of the Justices. It was agreed that there would be lots of organizations that would want to file briefs in this matter. It was also agreed that a limit of 20 amici (friends) for each side (this was posted at scotusblog for a few hours, then pulled).
It appears that D.C. took all comers. I say this, because none of the amicus briefs actually deal with the question as posed by the Court. They mostly continue to hammer away at the "collective" rights theories.
It is now Gura and Levy's turn to submit their answering brief (due on Feb. 4th). It is also rumored that they will not only pick and chose who to allow to file a brief, but what their content will be (what arguments they may make). These are due within 7 days after the responding brief is filed.
Sources close to the NRA reveal that they are having reservations in filing. It is not often that the NRA is told what they can say and what not to say. They may balk at this. shrug. That is the power that Gura and Levy are wielding. They are basicly saying that if you want to file an amicus brief in this case, you will play by our rules or you will not play at all.
Anyway, D.C. will have one more chance to submit an answering brief, which would be due within 25 days of Hellers brief (Feb. 29th).
Oral arguments will be scheduled after that (usually within 2 weeks, unless that calendar month is already filled). According to the Supreme Court Calendar, Orals (for March) will be held on the 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th or 26th of March. The decision will most likely be published in late June.
So that's the time frame of what is expected to happen.
