Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Gun Ban, Upholds Right to Keep and Bear Arms

[ToughOmbre]

The Supreme Court got this one right!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court says Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, the justices' first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history.

The court's 5-4 ruling strikes down the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment. The decision goes further than even the Bush administration wanted, but probably leaves most firearms laws intact.

The court had not conclusively interpreted the Second Amendment since its ratification in 1791. The amendment reads: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

The basic issue for the justices was whether the amendment protects an individual's right to own guns no matter what, or whether that right is somehow tied to service in a state militia.

Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for four colleagues, said the Constitution does not permit "the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home."

In dissent, Justice John Paul Stevens wrote that the majority "would have us believe that over 200 years ago, the Framers made a choice to limit the tools available to elected officials wishing to regulate civilian uses of weapons."

He said such evidence "is nowhere to be found."

TO

[Bucksnort101]

Thank goodness, I hate to think of the ramifications if this had gone the other way. Just think, the place in the US that has the highest amount of crime per capita is Washington DC (at least from several reports I have read) and they had the most restrictive guns laws in the country. Should tell you something.
5-4 vote is a bit concerning though, passed by the smallest margin. Hard to beleive that 9 people have so much power to change things in this coutry.

[ccheese]

I would like to see how all nine justices voted.... Bucky is right... it's
hard to believe that nine people can hold so much power in a country
such as the USA.

Charles

[timshatz]

Souter, Ginsberg, Stevens and Breyer dissented.

It is amazing that 9 people who weren't elected to anything have the ability to change the course of this nation. And, contrary to popular belief, they do not have to have a strict interpetation of the Constitution. Justice O'Connor once said, (and I'm paraphrasing), "We can get our perspective from anywhere we like."

In short, they can interpet the Constitution based on what the framers said in 1787 or based on what Elmo said on Sesame Street ten minutes before.

[FLYBOYJ]

There is a god....

[ToughOmbre]

Originally Posted by timshatz

Souter, Ginsberg, Stevens and Breyer dissented.

What a surprise!

And the scariest of all is Ginsberg. How the Republicans let that "woman" get appointed is beyond comprehension.

TO

[Bucksnort101]

A lot of what "Republicans" say and do lately is beyond comprehension. One thing I can say about the Dems, they don't waiver on thier beliefs as much as the Republican party seems to do nowadays.

[ToughOmbre]

Originally Posted by Bucksnort101

A lot of what "Republicans" say and do lately is beyond comprehension. One thing I can say about the Dems, they don't waiver on thier beliefs as much as the Republican party seems to do nowadays.

Unfortunately, very true.

TO

[Torch]

Yup there is a God. We are still going to be in a world of hurt if Obama gets elected on firearms issues.

[ToughOmbre]

And for the record, B. Hussein Obama SUPPORTED the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns.

And he says he supports the 2nd Amendment.

TO

[n2dabloo]

I"m glad I live in a country that has this freedom. Nothing like the feeling of being able to step off my back porch and shoot a deer or do some target practice. Great stress relief.

[Matt308]

Originally Posted by n2dabloo

I"m glad I live in a country that has this freedom. Nothing like the feeling of being able to step off my back porch and shoot a deer or do some target practice. Great stress relief.

Amen brother. Just watch out for the Greenies and the animal rights activists. Yet another avenue for the liberals to control your life energy.

[freebird]

Originally Posted by ToughOmbre

The Supreme Court got this one right!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Courts 5-4 ruling

TO

Originally Posted by ccheese

I would like to see how all nine justices voted....

Charles

It is very easy to figure out how they voted Charles, 4 conservatives voted one way, 4 liberals voted the other way, with Anthony Kennedy as the swing vote. Almost EVERY 5-4 vote has gone and will go this way.

1.) No death penalty for child molesters

2.) D.C. gun ban overturned

3.) Habeus Corpus applies to terrorists even in Guantanamo Bay

In each one Kennedy was the decider

Originally Posted by Bucksnort101

A lot of what "Republicans" say and do lately is beyond comprehension.

Originally Posted by ToughOmbre

Unfortunately, very true.
TO

The Best part is: {sarcastic remark} you had 3 dingbat Republican Senators {Allen, Santorum & Frist} banging the drum for the Senatorial "nuclear option" WHICH WAS NEVER USED {the nuclear option is a procedure for 51 senators to ram through a Supreme Justice nomination & override a filibuster} but is now available to Obama

Note 1: All 3 dimwits either quit or lost elections

Note 2: Wiser, more experienced Republican Senators {McCain, Warner, Spector, Lugar} advised AGAINST this reckless threat because they knew that WHAT COMES AROUND, GOES AROUND!

Note 3: Don't THREATEN this option, just DO IT {only if needed}

Upshot: The Democrats now have excellent precedent to ram through Obama's nominee's with only 51 votes.


Now imagine the models for the "New" juctices - Dennis Kusinich, Henry Waxman, Charlie Rangel. ALL LAWYERS - They would make excellent Supreme Court Justices! {From Obama's point of view}


My 2 cents - & Something for you all to think about