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June 27, 2008
Heller's Impact
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court decided that the Second Amendment protected the right of an individual to own a handgun. Although anti-gun advocates are trying to claim the ruling as a partial victory for their cause (the ruling explicitly allowed some restrictions), the majority opinion set the following precedent:
The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.While there are some restrictions put on gun ownership, that clear statement will be a hard one for anti-gun advocates to overcome. Not that they won't try, of course.
This story in the Bangor Daily News shows the extent to which the NRA and other groups have succeeded in changing the terms of this debate. Even Maine's Democratic politicians are not willing to disagree with the essence of the ruling. Given this state's gun and hunting culture, a politician would have to be insane to speak out in favor of gun control.
What's really surprising about this ruling is that four justices were somehow able to support their argument against the Second Amendment. The Cato Institute points out that this ruling is just the latest in a series of rulings that have pitted liberal judges against individual civil rights. Recent rulings have also shown the incoherence of liberal justice views of states rights.
The ruling has also shown some appalling sloppiness on the part of Justice Stevens, whose opinions contained some rather blatant factual errors. It's almost enough to make you wonder whether Stevens based his opinion on the law or his own personal ideology.
Of course, Stevens and his ilk lost and DC residents can now legally own and bear arms. There are no gun shops in the district, but there is at least one dealer who can import arms from other states.
Posted by slublog at June 27, 2008 09:58 PM
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» Great Business Opportunity Available in D.C. from Conservative247
I’ve been reading a bit about the Heller decision and how things will change for the better in the District. At this point, residents who qualify should be able to purchase a pistol for home protection. Personally, I do not think that a pistol is... [Read More]
Tracked on June 30, 2008 08:15 PM