Your 2nd Amendment rights upheld (barely)

[Devils Horse]

The supreme court just release a decision restoring the repealed 2nd amendment rights of Washington, DC citizens. The court split 5-4, so effectively the 2nd amendment only survived by the barest of margins.

Paraphrasing the decision here, but the majority headed by Justice Scalia (second longest sitting justice and Ronald Reagan appointee) upheld the right to bear arms saying their interpretation of “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” is easy to understand, it means what it says. He was backed and supported by Justice Anthony Kennedy (a Ronald Reagan appointee) who had earlier said (once again paraphrasing here) he believed strongly in an individual's right to self protection and interpreted the 2nd as it was written.

The 4 dissenters, headed by Justice John Paul Stevens (the oldest sitting justice, and Gerald Ford appointee) said 'the right to keep and bear arms' clause refers to the militia, not the people. Another dissenter, Justice Stephen Breyer (a Bill Clinton appointee) has said handgun crime is out of control. He felt the ruling hampered DC's ability to govern. Never mind the fact that only law abiding citizens are going to obey the gun ban in the first place, of course leaving criminals the only ones with guns.

More than five years after six Washington, D.C. residents challenged the city’s 32-year-old ban on all functional firearms in the home (why do you suppose DC's a pit of unchecked crime?), the US Supreme Court has ruled the ban unconstitutional.

I wonder how it'll go next time if Senator Obama is elected and appoints another liberal justice who can't read. Any of you BO supporters own guns out there? Let's hear from you on this.

[Stonewall2002]

A blow to the Marxist left. For the first time since its inception the Court has had to interpret the 2nd Amendment. THANK GOD FOR ALITO, ROBERTS, SCALIA, THOMAS, AND KENNEDY!!! By the skin of their teeth they have protected this nation from the despots! Three cheers!!

Keep on plunkin'

[stratosjoe]

why do you suppose DC's a pit of unchecked crime



cause it's full of fat-assed lazy politicians. they are stealing far far more than the gun thugs on the streets of DC. Oh and they are doing it legally

[Bobby Headrick]

Sorry Stonewall and the others for the prev post, but I am a DISGruntale state worker and not all of us are bleeding hearts and as for the 2nd amendment I truly support the right to keep and bear arms and the right to protect myself for eneimies both foregin an domestic. Also I am not 100% Dem or Repud. I am just 100% american born and bred here I love this country even with all it's faults I do not like the gun control issues it is a waste of time and money to try to take away law abiding citizens guns and freedoms, we already have phone tapping and spy satilites watching us. if the guns are taken away only the criminals will have them. The USA is stiil a young country and still growing But also after watching John Adams on HBO it shows me what the country was supposed to be set up as but we have somehow gotten away from what the founding fathers sought and fought and died for, and no I do not want Gov running everything, like I said I work for the State and I know gov can not run everything but some things do need supervision. Lets go fishing. peace to all and I hope and pray that we as a nation can become stronger and better than ever we can if all our leadres will work together and forget about thier own personal gains and work on waht we elected them and pay them to do and that is work for THE PEOPLE, as this is supposed to be a Government for The People by the People of the People, not just a select few if it is then we are no better off than when we were controlled by the British.

[RoadToad]

One of the most important Supreme Court rulings ever. Personally, I'm all in favor of reasonable gun control. As Scalia pointed out, the rights granted under the Second Amendment are not unlimited, so the states still have latitude to regulate gun ownership, they just can't outlaw it outright. I have no problem with that at all. And really, the old argument that 'the right to keep and bear arms' clause refers to the militia, not the people, doesn't make sense. Why would we need it written into the Constitution that the army is allowed to carry guns? And even if, as Breyer said, handgun crime is out of control, that's not relevant to the question of whether this law was constitutional or not.

Now, it's going to be really interesting to see what happens to crime rates in D.C., and also how those crime rates are reported in the media. And as I watch, I'll be keeping in mind that "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

[PL]

Those 4 judges that voted against this should resign.

I'd say in the future you will see tougher gun laws by the states and cities where gun crimes are the highest regardless of whether you can own one or not.

The lawyers will make even more money off all the lawsuits that will be coming.

BTW...... I own 4 guns and none are registered and never will be.

Have a great weekend(fishing) I am...........

Larry

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[LarryG]

Got three, bought legaly, not at flea markets. But anyone who says hand gun crime can be checked by more armed citizens, maybe should have to take an IQ test.Even though I own two, hand guns are mostly used by thugs.Ever wonder what would happen if a concerned citizen opened up on a thief, and killed or wounded an innocent person? Home protection? a 12 gauge shot gun with buck shot will always do the trick.But there is one good reason for us to be an armed nation, what happens when government will not adress grieviences of the people?And sometimes to actually protect your self from the law.

[mhall]

Those 4 judges that voted against this should resign.

I'd say in the future you will see tougher gun laws by the states and cities where gun crimes are the highest regardless of whether you can own one or not.

The lawyers will make even more money off all the lawsuits that will be coming.

BTW...... I own 4 guns and none are registered and never will be.

Have a great weekend(fishing) I am...........

Larry

.

I never figured you as a gun owner....

[mhall]

Awesome truely awesome. Maybe somebody is finally growing a set.

[LarryG]

When you say larry, let me make a famous quote" are you talking to me?"[taxi][[robert deniro]].Maybe its time for another John Brown to step forward. It is everyones righjt to petion congress, but congress seems only to listen to big money lobbyists,ah an armed citizenery, led by some patriot[most will call him a nut], think that would get the wax out of some ears?

[LarryG]

Guess I should quit, theres free speech, and then the old false cry of fire. never know what homeland security is watching, it sure ain't the borders!Hmmm black SUV pulling up to the house, jehovahs witnesses or!

[PL]

I never figured you as a gun owner....

This world is full of surprises Eh?

Stop and think what else you've been wrong about.

Larry