U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

The DC Gun Law has been set aside by the U.S. Supreme Court. The 5-4 decision explained the Court's interpretation of the 2nd Amendment in logical detail.

If you would care to read the entire decision, complete with pro-and-con opinions from the various Justices, the link is

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

I was pleasantly surprised that SCOTUS affirmed the individual right to bear arms. Hopefully this is the first of many rulings that affirm the rights of the individuals.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

Excellent. I saw the decision earlier. This is good.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

At first I agreed, but then it kinda scared me. The vote was 5-4. That means we came oh so close to having a specified inalienable right denied by the court. Had there been one more Souter, Ginsburg, Stevens, or Breyer on the court today, the 2nd Amendment would have been repealed.

This loudly demonstrates the importance of the presidential election. You may disagree with McCain's take on border enforcement or ANWR drilling or campaign financing or any other issues, but remember that if he were POTUS and the situation arose, he would nominate justices similar to Roberts and Alito. Obama voted against both and wants a more empathetic, activist court. Expect a junior Ginsburg or Breyer.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

I find it hard to believe for anyone, this is the BIGGEST issue you would consider in how to vote for the next POTUS

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

the issue is an important one because it is a matter of the constitution. the right to bear arms is what prevents us from being taken over by a dictatorial government. when people have no way to defend themselves they are open to a misappropriation of power. the basis for all our freedoms is the united states constitution. an italian friend of mine has a gigantic copy of it framed and emblazoned on her wall....when we ourselves do not protect and defend it, we are doomed.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

If I implied that the 2nd Amendment was the "BIGGEST issue" I apologize. However, I do believe that the makeup of the court is possibly not the BIGGEST, but is certainly one of the most important factors in this or any recent presidential election. Almost by definition, Democrat courts create laws while Republican one interpret. Liberal courts talk of changing mores and international trends while conservative courts talk of original intent.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."

James Madison, while a United States Congressman

Currently we have:

A leader retaining power through stealing the election of 2004 and put into power in 2000 by a coup d'etat, not through democratic elections

the military used to control the civilian population in violation of the U.S. Constitution

the president ordering a US citizen held indefinitely by the military

a shadow government being set up consisting entirely of executive branch officials in violation of the Constitution

government informants spying on fellow citizens

the highest amount of government funds going to military initiatives

taxpayer money being used to subsidize and fund domestic and foreign "defense" corporations

taxpayer money being used to subsidize and fund domestic and foreign military operations: wars, embargoes, training, etc.

a dictatorial ruling clique creating unnecessary, homicidal wars as a way of remaining in power

a dictatorial ruling clique committing crimes and assuming illegal powers and not being brought to justice because of manipulated, powerless legislative and judicial branches

the spread of militaristic values and the increasing power of the military in our society

Thank the Lord you gunslingers are here to protect us.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

Currently we have:

A leader retaining power through stealing the election of 2004 and put into power in 2000 by a coup d'etat, not through democratic elections The United States is a federal republic, not a popular democracy. That's what the Constitution calls for, and it has worked pretty well. We keep forgetting that each state is a sovereign entity, and that this isn't one large mega-city. For those who want a popular democracy, that will require a change to the Constitution if is to occur here.

the military used to control the civilian population in violation of the U.S. Constitution The only place I've seen US troops is along the Southwest Border and performing humanitarian relief and looter control at disaster sites. Troops can only be committed once a Stafford Act declaration occurs, and the process for that is very rigid.

the president ordering a US citizen held indefinitely by the military So? If it action met court muster, then...

a shadow government being set up consisting entirely of executive branch officials in violation of the Constitution The Executive Branch works today as it has for a VERY long time under many administrations, including the last.

government informants spying on fellow citizens Are the citizens committing crimes?

the highest amount of government funds going to military initiatives And there have been no more 9/11s since.

taxpayer money being used to subsidize and fund domestic and foreign "defense" corporations And there have been no more 9/11s since. Also, the last time I checked, the moneys kept many US workers employed, and the money-cycle within those communities kept them afloat as well.

taxpayer money being used to subsidize and fund domestic and foreign military operations: wars, embargoes, training, etc. Better over there than within here.

a dictatorial ruling clique creating unnecessary, homicidal wars as a way of remaining in power Are we talking about Pres. Bush, or Pres. Kennedy & Johnson during the Vietnam era, or Pres. Truman during Korea, or Pres. Roosevelt during WWII, or Pres. Wilson during WWI, or Pres. Clinton during Somalia?

a dictatorial ruling clique committing crimes and assuming illegal powers and not being brought to justice because of manipulated, powerless legislative and judicial branches If the other two branches don't go after the third, then what's illegal? Congress has the real power, as they make the laws and dish out the money to enforce them, and the Judicial shows its authority when necessary. The three-cornered hat approach provides the checks and balances, and none of the three are "powerless."

the spread of militaristic values and the increasing power of the military in our society Those values are Duty, Honor, and Country. Are there better ones than those?

Thank the Lord you gunslingers are here to protect us. You're welcome.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

:agree: Right on SteveZ :bigthumbsup: from a fellow vet

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

Nicely put SteveZ.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

Never have seen what handguns have to do with the right to bear arms. As a weapon for a well-armed militia, they're pretty sad. And please do remember that the Constitution states it is for a "well-regulated militia," not to protect a household or an individual. A militia armed with rifles and shotguns would be far better for the security of this country than a handgun. A handgun might protect an individual but that is not what the Second Amendment stated:

"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."

So, I'm glad you think the Supreme Court got something right. This is definitely one time when I totally disagree. It seems the arguments pro and con by the Supreme Court are the same-old same-old. Maybe one day the SC will get it right, but it ain't this time around.

(Ain't it fun to disagree? hehe)

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

It is!

Handguns serve a purpose, especially in tight quarters and as backup weaponry.

Inside a structure there are several concerns with discharging a weapon - noise (can make you deaf for a while), wall puncture (don't want to hurt folk unintentionally), riccochet (same as before), maneuverability (try swinging a 30-36 inch rifle around in a tight corridor or around corners).

Justice Scalia was quite thorough on the historical, analagous and legal analysis. The individual is the cornerstone to a civil guard, and the government - if it has total control over all facets of "arms" - becomes dictatorial. There have been many examples of this in other nations before and after the writing of the Constitution.

The best part of the decision to me is that one was made. This issue has been hanging around too long to be ambiguous, and the Court's decision will lead to further refinement with it as a basis.

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

Handguns serve a much bigger purpose -- they're great for robberies and murders. They're easily converted to rapid-firing weapons for drive-bys nowadays. Sorry, I'd love to see handguns banned throughout the world, not just in the US. Obviously, if I had my druthers, all weapons would be banned. But I'm realistic enough to understand that that ain't gonna happen and the USA needs weapons to survive. I also agree that individuals should be armed not just to protect themselves from other individuals but to prevent a government from depriving us of our rights (of course, we let the legislature take our rights on a daily basis and never say a word). I still stand by my opinion that our "militia" does not need handguns to do this.

I do not believe the government has a right to ban all weaponry. I've seen what happens when the populance is not allowed to own weapons and it ain't pretty. To me, handguns just serve no good purpose in today's world.

I do agree that some decision is better than no decision. The fact that the vote was 5-4 does mean it will be revised several times over the next few decades. Who knows, maybe the Supreme Court will become enlightened enough to even declare handguns illegal in the future. (So, do I duck now or when we meet in person?)

(In case you're wondering, I do own two rifles and a shotgun. I've gone hunting many times both as a child and as an adult. I'm not anti-weapons per se, just anti-handguns totally. However, if you gave me a choice between no weapons anywhere and me keeping my hunting weapons, I'd happily give them up.)

Re: U.S. Supreme Court got it right!
 

Handguns are also great protection against robbers and murderers. If you have one, just make sure you know how to use it. A handgun in untrained hands is not a good thing.
I think the vote was to close for comfort.

Steve wrote
Justice Scalia was quite thorough on the historical, analagous and legal analysis. The individual is the cornerstone to a civil guard, and the government - if it has total control over all facets of "arms" - becomes dictatorial. There have been many examples of this in other nations before and after the writing of the Constitution.
I agree.