It looks as if the Supreme Court is in the avoidance mode as it winds up its latest session, and that vacation mode isn't sitting well with either California gun owners or Second Amendment advocates.

Yesterday, the high court declined to review Peruta v. California, a challenge to the "good cause" requirement in issuance of concealed carry permits. In this instance, "good cause" tosses out the idea that personal protection is "good enough" in some California counties and requires a specific cause, i.e., domestic violence or carrying large amounts of cash.

On that basis, it seems crack dealers are afforded a better than even chance to legally obtain a permit, but average citizens who simply want to be responsible for their own protection are out of luck.

The case came to the SCOTUS because a three-judge panel on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (yes, that circuit- "the nutty ninth") ruled the policy stood in violation of the right to self-defense. When the 11 judges in the same court heard that appeal, they ruled (7-4) that the restrictions were permissible.

Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch disagreed with the decision, with Thomas saying the decision "reflects a distressing trend: the treatment of the Second Amendment as a disfavored right."

While the rumors of Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement swirl, it does appear the Roberts Court does, indeed, evade those situations where a ruling on the Second would help clarify the extent of gun laws in the nation.

For now, the California law remains in effect, and residents are, like those of Chicago, the District of Columbia and other areas that have effectively thumbed their noses at the Supreme Court's rulings, are denied the right to firearms outside their homes.

In another less-reported industry development, Bass Pro Shops has quietly notified something like 7,000 independent retail stores in 50 states and 75 other countries that effective August 1, they'll be losing wholesale distributor American Rod & Gun.

Why would BPS be sending those notices? Because ARG is the exclusive wholesale distributor of Bass Pro Shops brands, including RedHead, Offshore Angler, and White River Fly Shops, in addition to several gun and ammo manufacturers including Remington, Browning and Winchester.

Bass Pro Shops says it's discontinuing its Standard Dealer Program because they believe they can make "the biggest positive impact for the outdoor industry by focusing our attention and resources on better serving sportsmen and advancing key conservation initiatives with our outdoor partners."

Bass says when they began the program (in the 1970s) there were few wholesale sources supplying quality products to independents. Today, they say, the industry is thriving.

So, those independent retailers will find themselves looking for non-Bass products to fill the holes on their retail displays.

American Rod & Gun will continue to supply "key business partners and conservation partners to help advance shared conservation priorities".

--Jim Shepherd