Yeah, they deliberately did not rule on whether a fundamental right can be licensed.
This preserves most state laws.
“This preserves most state laws.”
For now. That’s another question for another day.
Just as a privateer needed a charter, so to may the right to dangerous items be by license. A vouchsafe that those engaged in the holding and usage thereof are able, sane, sober and have adequate financial means to keep the weapons safe when stored or carried and to use them properly.
Yep, because there's no precedent for overturning fees for rights like say .... poll taxes.
This preserves most state laws.
If a right is fundamental, it cannot be taxed or subjected to the equivalent of a poll tax. Here's a great answer to a question about this issue to some future Court hearing oral arguments: Your Honors, my client views the fee charged to be the equivalent of paying a fee to the govenment in order to purchase a bible, or to attend worship services. They should be a no-go. Would my opponent claim that this provision allows the government to compile lists of churhgoers, to charge them a fee for registering and to make them wait for a permit before they actually attend church. THAT is what gun registration does, and THAT is why this practice should be overturned.