| U.S. Supreme Court Affirms 2nd Amendment is Individual Right! |
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| Written by Mike Kinsey | |
| Thursday, 26 June 2008 | |
A long-awaited opinion has been issued by the U.S. Supreme Court for DC v Heller, which is challenging the unconstitutional ban on handguns and operable longarms in Washington, DC. Oral arguments were held earlier this year and the Supreme Court has affirmed in a 5-4 decision that the Second Amendment means what it says, it is an individual right, and the DC gun ban is unconstitutional. While OFCC is relieved that the Supreme Court did not ignore our individual right to keep and bear arms that predates the Constitution, we will be reviewing the entire, lengthy document in order to get a better feel for anything else that the opinion declares. Please stay tuned to this site for further commentary regarding what this means to law-abiding firearm owners once the opinion has been processed! The opinion can be found HERE. Reactions to the Supreme Court striking down the DC gun ban By The Associated Press Some reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling Thursday that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting: ___ "This opinion should usher in a new era in which the constitutionality of government regulations of firearms are reviewed against the backdrop of this important right." — Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. ___ "The right to bear arms is a fundamental right we enjoy as citizens of the United States. From individuals being able to protect their family and their home to sportsmen venturing into the outdoors, this is an important and historic day for all citizens of this great country." — Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn. ___ "I am profoundly disappointed in Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, both of whom assured us of their respect for precedent. With this decision, 70 years of precedent has gone out the window. And I believe the people of this great country will be less safe because of it." — Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. ___ "Today's ruling is a major victory for the rights of all Americans to protect themselves and their families. The Supreme Court sent a clear message to local, state, and federal governments that this individual right cannot be unreasonably infringed." — Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. ___ "I think this is a long overdue decision; I don't think the precedent has been seriously reaffirmed in decades." — Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis. __ "The nation's top court made the correct decision by reaffirming one of our founding principles, the right of individuals to keep and bear arms. This historic ruling has implications far beyond the District of Columbia." — Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. ___ "Today, President Bush's radical Supreme Court justices put rigid ideology ahead of the safety of communities in New Jersey and across the country. This decision illustrates why I have strongly opposed extremist judicial nominees and will continue to do so in the future." — Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. ___ "In the most significant victory for the Second Amendment in recent memory, the Supreme Court today reaffirmed our citizens' constitutional right to keep and bear arms. ... This decision should send a clear message to opponents of the Second Amendment. The Constitution plainly guarantees the solemn right to keep and bear arms, and the whims of politically correct bureaucrats cannot take it away." — House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. ___ "The Supreme Court's decision underscores our country's commitment to protecting the fundamental rights on which America was founded. Today, America has reaffirmed its promise to the right to bear arms." — Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Texas. ___ "While this is a clear victory for those who live in Washington, D.C., it's my hope what was decided here today projects a powerful new precedent for judges to follow across the country." - Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. |