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Justices Shoot Down District of Columbia’s 32-year Gun Ban
June 27th, 2008Supreme Court Makes It easier for people to own handguns
The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday shot down the argument from D.C. officials that the city has a right to prevent ownership of handguns to protect residents from violence.
Several weeks before the high court delivered today’s 5-4 decision, ruling that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, District Mayor Adrian Fenty said, “I’m confident in our case, and our continued ability to protect residents 
from gun violence.” But that confidence quickly turned into disappointment. “I’m disappointed in the court’s ruling and believe introducing more handguns into the District will mean more handgun violence,” Fenty said. “But I want to emphasize that at this moment, our gun laws remain in effect. It may be several weeks before there are changes to announce. “In the meantime, I have directed the Metropolitan Police Department to implement an orderly process for allowing qualified citizens to register handguns for lawful possession in their homes,” he said.
By weighing in on the Second Amendment issue for the first time since 1791, the Supreme Court opened a door that has Black and inner-city leaders, anti-violence groups and gun-control advocates worried, at a time when gun violence is rocking major metropolitan areas nationwide. Opponents of more lax gun laws argue that the framers of the U.S. Constitution, in the Second Amendment – which says that “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” – was referring to the military and not to individual citizens. But Justice Antonin Scalia, writing the court’s majority opinion, said that the Constitution does not allow “the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home.” But he noted that today’s decision should not “cast doubt on long-standing prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons or the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings.” Joining Scalia in the majority decision were the four other conservative members of the court, Clarence Thomas, John Roberts, Samuel Alito and Anthony Kennedy. Dissenting were Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Souter and John Paul Stevens, who 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.” The District of Columbia established its strict anti-handgun laws about 32 years ago. The case challenging those laws was brought by Dick Anthony Heller, a 66-year-old armed security guard, whose application to keep a handgun in his home for protection was denied. Heller won his case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C.
America has no heart…blood shed is easy…like watching television. Only they get up on television…in the streets…real blood flows…and nobody cares…in America.
The US Constitution States we have the right to bare arms. But on the other hand with the present laws in place we are not protected at all. So what difference does it make?
This is all a part of the secret society plan (Illuminati)and others. Just think if everyone had a gun and used it to kill and not protect their family and property who will gain from this?
Them not us (the american people)! More prisons, more free-labor and this fear that they are trying to ignite in us (the american people) is to force the new world order on us! Just pay attention to what is being done! This is bigger than electing a new president! They control our goverment we the people put in place!
The banking industry is about to crumble, just watch and see. Better start to save those pennies they pay us. You are going to need it!
where is my comment?
Liberals are amazing….lol. The 2nd amendment to the constitution spells out a certain right, and their draws are all in a bunch, but then there are things that are not constitutional, and they speak as if they are, ie; healthcare, voting, and many other things that the Government is now in the business of doing. Of course these things are important, but are NOT constitutional.
Lets see….by over turning the D.C. ban might/will lead to more crime…..lol, guess what, criminals are criminals, they dont obey laws, and this ban has not stopped shootings in D.C.. The law abiding folks generally hope they never have to use their gun, but feel safer having it if needed.
This reminds me of the welfare reform during the 90’s when dems cried about kids would suffer and die if the system was reformed to the levels that republicans were seeking. Now, everyone including Clinton wants to take credit for reforming a broken system. Its not the guns, but the the mindset of the folks. I am sure they will place a ban on bullets since thats not in the constitution….lol.
Ultimately, the constitution does protect our right to bear arms, so I agree with the high court’s decision. However, that does NOT give people the right to shoot people at their own will!
Our world(s) becomes more unjust everyday! The District of Columbia/Baltimore area is plagued with violence, just plagued with it. But the highest justices in the country are okay with the level of borderline Anarchy that takes place in those hoods. As long as its not happening in the areas where the combined median household income is $250K or better they’re good. SYSTEMATIC ELIMINATION just like Crack and Heroin back in the day. Our neighborhoods are the experiments!!
It’s about time the justices did something right. BET and its usual bias, you don’t give a rats a$$ about violence. If one side is conservative, then what do you call the other side, they’re liberal. Which means you devoid of fact and logic, you thrive on emotions. All these cities that have high murder rates are run by democrats, DC,LA,Detroit, Chicago and Philly. We have 7000+ black on black murders a yr, how in the hell are we suppose to protect ourselves ?
PEOPLE TEND TO COMPLAIN WHEN THE LAW IS NOT IN SUPPORT OF THEIR BELIEFS. SIMPLY PUT, THE LAW IS THE LAW. CANT BELEIVE IN ONE PART OF THE LAW AND NOT ALL PARTS. I DONT THINK ITS A GOOD IDEA TO ALLOW EVERYONE TO HAVE HANDGUNS, BUT, NOT EVERYONE IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND PRONED TO VIOLENCE. IN MY BOOK ITS PREJUDICIAL TO LIMIT ONE CLASS OF INDIVIDUALS AND ALLOW OTHER’S TO HAVE FREE REIGN. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR HOME, ESPECIALLY SINCE ITS SO OBVIOUS THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT DO A GREAT JOB AT PROTECTING EVERYONE THAT NEEDS PROTECTING.
Thats is a shame. They had to do that right now. They want us to kill each other. DC death toll is higher than ever around this time of the year because of this war. It’s been shoot-outs and people being killed left and right. I dont know what the war is about or who is in the war but one thing the news have shown is that it involves black people. They keep showing the housing projects where the shooting took place. (SAD) And of course they had to interview the first black person they can find.
more murders please!!!!!!!!!!!1
Wasn’t DC the murder capital previously?
i think it’s a good ideal to be able to carry around a fire arm but it’s just going to be more murders
First of all so many people are on edge nowadays and adding a firearm to the mix is just causing more problems. We all know good and well peoples emotions play a major role in crime and many of the firearms are going to be used for vengeance moreso than for protection. Besides, how are they going to regulate who gets one and who doesn’t? A lot of people that have ill intentions always find ways around laws. And you cannot always predict who is sane and who is not in these times. Also, think about all the accidental deaths related to guns in the home.
Like the former murder capital needs more guns!!!
is this discipline or are you slow you need to back yourself up please others’ do not care
adrianlkelley,
what the hell are you talkin bout?
wheres my comment??
It’s the peoples right to bear arms but in doing that causes a lot of problems with children getting a hold of weaponS and bring harm to themselves BUT YA’LL CHECK OUT THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwtyLHcrfu0
HIT ME UP
I agree with the supreme court ruling. As far as the DC ban goes it hasn’t been successful so far.I don’t think it makes a difference b/c most of the guns used in crimes aren’t legit anyway the supreme court ruling is to benefit legal firearms owners
The Supreme Court made the right decision. That law should never have been passed by the DC council and I am glad it has seen its last days.