WASHINGTON: The Supreme Court on Thursday declared for the first time that the U.S. Constitution protects an individual’s right to have a gun, not just the right of the states to maintain militias.
Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority in the 5-to-4 decision, said the Constitution does not allow “the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home.” In so declaring, the majority found that a gun-control law in the nation’s capital went too far in making it nearly impossible to own a handgun.
The decision upheld a federal appeals court ruling that the District of Columbia’s gun law, one of the strictest in the country, went beyond constitutional limits. Not only did the 1976 law make it practically impossible for an individual to possess a handgun legally in the district, but it spelled out rules for the storage of rifles and shotguns.
I love this quote by the mayor of Washington, D.C.: “Whatever right the Second Amendment guarantees, it does not require the district to stand by while its citizens die,” Fenty said.
So, mr. mayor. I assume that since you have one of the most strict gun control laws that you also have one of the lowest murder rates. Right? No? You don’t? Hmmm. Maybe your murder rates will actually go down now that D.C. residents can defend themselves.
Haha, I wouldn’t count on it though. You know they’ll regulate and tax guns as much as possible. But yes, the belief that preventing people from defending themselves will decrease crime is just ridiculous.
I understand your point and agree with your basic sentiment. However, I do think this is a ruling to celebrate because it has the potential to save lives.
It’s sort of a win but the court left it wide open for registrations and taxes and more laws that would stifle gun ownership. The court failed to man up and do what they should have done and struck down every gun control law that has been passed. But it does provide some better footing in that it was FINALLY ruled an individual right and not a collective right.
I look forward to next year when the FBI stats come out and we see a drastic drop in the homicide rate in DC. According to this CNN article there were 143 homicides in DC last year. What’s funny is that in 1976 when the ban took place there were 135 so right there is your proof that handgun bans don’t work. I can’t wait for the new numbers that will show DC’s homicide rate drop by 50% or more.