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Gun Rights in the Supreme Court
A key date is approaching in the fight over gun rights. On March 18 the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the D.C. gun ban case. The ruling on the case, expected sometime in June, will have a huge impact on the willingness of the government and politicians to try to enact gun-control legislation in the future.
For gun right’s advocates, the hope and the dream is to hear the highest court in the United States acknowledge that the Second Amendment means what it says: that the citizens of this country have an individual right to own and use firearms.
The cover story in the February 27 edition of USA Today had some interesting data. A poll conducted by the newspaper and Gallup shows that 73 percent of the more than 1,000 adults questioned believe that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to own a firearm. An overwhelming—and heartwarming—indication of support.
—John Snow
The supreme courts ruling and the push to put serial numbers on ammo are the two largest threats to gun owners in this country.
If they can't get the guns, make the ammo so expensive it's cost prohibitive to make it for the civilian market.
There are a half dozen states that have bills introduced to do this very thing.
Centerfire ammo for pistols, revolvers and "assault weapons" are the target of this nonsense.
Will it pass? If it passes in one state and it holds up in court, you better believe other states will do the same thing.
Posted by: jstreet | February 28, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Unfortunately, none of us 73% are on the Supreme Court. I am hopeful that, with the many more states that have passed concealed carry laws, there is momentum going our way. But I was sure the Supremes would strike down the so-called campaign finance reform law, but they didn't, even though it, too, is unconstitutional.
Posted by: Wes | February 28, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Wes,
For what it is worth, it looks as though a majority of the Supreme Court justices--five to be exact--will line up on the side of affirming the overturning of the D.C. gun ban. That according to people who follow the court more closely than I do.
Posted by: John | February 29, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I don't understand why we as free citizens would allow 9 people no matter how well thought of, to decide to recognize my individual rights enshrined under the Bill of Rights. If all 9 can't be smart enough to read and understand the Bill of Rights they have no business being where they are. Most of the laws passed in this country have shredded the Bill of Rights. The 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th have been turned and twisted beyond recognition. What is the worst aspect we keep electing the idiots who support this. Pogo was right.
Posted by: Jim Kiser | February 29, 2008 at 10:08 AM
John,
I hope you are right about the supreme court. I've read on other sites that it looks like the majority will strike down the ban with exceptions. Those exceptions being that governments have the right to be able to limit what types of firearms are allowed.
It's not really just cut and dried.
I guess we'll know in two weeks.
Jim
Posted by: jstreet | February 29, 2008 at 10:27 AM
thank you for the facts MR, SNOW, now is the time for the 73 percent to be heard by voicing our opinions in local papers. hopefully the justices can read,
Posted by: steve thompson | February 29, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Jim Kiser:
Its called a system of "checks and balances", and was drafted to prevent the takeover of our gov't. THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TO VOTE! No one has asked Obama or Hillary about gun rights. If someone does, either they'll lie, or we will be very disappointed.
YooperJack
Posted by: YooperJack | February 29, 2008 at 06:18 PM
First, I trust the NRA, the CCRKBA and the GOA to have filed amicus briefs that will convince any non-individual rights Justices to our side so we can put this 'debate' to bed for good!
Second, I wish that 10% of those 73% would join the NRA and push for our rights on a daily basis with the politicians.
Third, I just put in a bid on Gunbroker.com for a reloading press so even if the stupid pols put in this serialization of ammo, I'll be loading my own!
Posted by: Harding | March 02, 2008 at 02:29 PM