Supreme Court set to back gun rightsBy Patti Waldmeir in Washington
Published: March 18 2008 20:20 Last updated: March 18 2008 20:20
The US Supreme Court appears ready to rule that Americans have a constitutional right to keep a gun in their home for self-defence, a ruling that could help Republicans in the upcoming presidential election.
Hearing the most important gun rights case in nearly 70 years, the justices on Tuesday spent 98 minutes engrossed in a lively debate about British and American legal traditions relating to the right to bear arms, especially in self-defence.
Z's favorite excerpt: Justice Antonin Scalia: "Why isn't it perfectly plausible, indeed reasonable, to assume that since the Framers knew that the way militias were destroyed by tyrants in the past was not by passing a law against militias, but by taking away the people's weapons — that was the way militias were destroyed. The two clauses go together beautifully: Since we need a militia, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Honestly? I've only lately seen the importance in the right to bear arms. How do you feel?
24 comments:
At least some sense remains on the Supreme Court, glad to see it!
And yes, I have...
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!
tmw
Twll Mr. Z., that one of mine is a Walther PKK that my dad bought in Brazil in the late '40's...seems there was a burglar with a penchant for slitting throats in the neighborhood!
I hope this assessment of SCOTUS's position on the Second Amendment is accurate. If not, we're in deep, deep trouble!
Scalia is a certified genius!
Thanks for that quote! I'm going to share it with the hubby as soon as he gets home!
No, no, no, "well regulated militia". That's a little different than allowing every gun loon out there to fill there home with ammunition and 50 caliber weapons.
Has a complete ban gone too far? I say, yes. It hasn't done much for D.C. but the danger here is that we miss the "well regulated" clause and also eliminate background checks, waiting periods, bulk buy restrictions and other reasonable point of sale measures.
Ducky, I can't argue there. As with so many situations, how does one strike JUST the right balance..there's always something that sneaks through and proves one direction was the wrong way to go...at least in that instance. Tough question.
Brooke...fabulous, isn't it? Sounds like a comment from the original founding fathers.
in order to form that "well regulated" militia you need ordinary citizens who have weapons
duhh
the danger is in overemphasizing the 'well regulated militia' because if you did then no one would be able to own a weapon...
In 1781 in his Notes on the State of Virginia, Query IX, Thomas Jefferson described the militia: "Every able-bodied freeman, between the ages of 16 and 50 is enrolled in the militia. .... In every county is a county lieutenant, who commands the whole militia of his county. .... The governor is the head of the military, as well as the civil power. The law requires every militia-man to provide himself with the arms usual in the regular service."
You'd also have to question why the Framers would put the second Amendement in if
The Congress shall have the power To lay and collect
Taxes, .... to provide for calling forth the
Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress
Insurrections and repel Invasions; To provide for
organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and
for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the
Service of the United States, reserving to the
States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers,
and the authority of training the Militia according
to the discipline prescribed by Congress; ....
NO they knew we'd need the ability to protect ourselves from an overreaching government
They really need to call the militia up for a weapons inspection...
I just heard Obama say that "the Iraq war has emboldened Iran and N. Korea..."
I'm wondering if anyone really thinks THAT is what 'emboldened' these regimes OR if the reactions of the West have emboldened...the fact that so many in the West don't understand why we need to be there, how pride is EVERYTHING in that area, and our leaving would be a disaster, how our media insults Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Petreus, etc.??
All the nuts hear are our media and liberal senators/congressmen damning the war from start to finish. That would embolden me if I were intent on ruining America. If I saw a united America standing solid and angry against terrorism and supporting this war, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be quite so emboldened, but I've been told I'm wrong and naive...what do you guys think?
How much credence does my point have? I'd seriously like to know.
Elbro...re "overreaching gov't", check out the phrase by Jefferson I just posted just above "About me".. "a government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything away." Thomas Jefferson.
If Obama doesn't want to give us everything we want, I don't know what GIVE means.
FJ....we should be making sure those militias are armed enough and their arms are in good order. Sad, isn't it.
By the way, Brooke..your bumper stickers at your site are so great! "Why carry a gun? because a whole cop would be too heavy"....fabulous!
I got your militia
Hi All,
All I can say is thank God for our founding fathers, and our constitution.
Something the Brits and Aussies didn't have. The right to bear arms. They had them at the pleasure of their governments, and lost them for the same reason.
Pris
it is a very good time to report your guns as stolen. perhaps the best time so far...just sayin'...
"report them missing?" nanc, I'm thinking it's about a good time to start using them.
I've got to get one.
Z,
Once N. Korea had nuclear capability they became emboldened.
Does developing nuclear capability embolden Iran? Yep.
Given that fact would they be emboldened if Saddam was still in power in Iraq? Yep.
Are they happy we're in Iraq? Nope.
We are an inhibitor regarding Iran.
If Saddam was still in power, and the sanctions were lifted, which was in the works, would he have continued his program for nuclear capability? Yep.
Did Libya give up their nuclear program? Yep.
So, the way I see it, we prevented two countries from developing nuclear capability.
Whether we prevent Iran from completing their nuclear program remains to be seen. If we don't, it's Katie bar the door.
Finally, Z, I agree with you, that because of the American left, we are fighting with one hand tied behind our back. A united America is unstoppable and the far left, knowing this, can't have the country they hate, be the big winner.
Long story short. It's nuclear capability that has emboldened Iran and N. Korea.
Pris
Pris...I'm glad you agree with me..and you make EXCELLENT points..thanks.
Elbro..I adore that video. God bless Charleton Heston!
When I read that your link was 'militia', I expected some nutty group from Appalachia or something (a joke militia) and I don't know why my mind went to that Obama family picture...you know the one. Just cracked me up.
Hey, TMW....a Walther PKK from Brazil, huh? it also seems that yet another NAZI escaped to Brazil, huh?
G-d bless Scalia and the judges who understand the intent of the Founders! The weapon on the right looks like my Taurus 9mm. Just to make sure, we're buying new pistols and revolvers for everyone in the family before the next election. Carmen's perfectly comfortable with the 9mm or .38 now.
This is the greatest country in the world!
Morgan
morgan, it SURE is the greatest country in the world!
And I sure wish I knew something about guns. Am thinking seriously about that...really seriously
Z-Yup! In fact, the State Dept. told my parents to quit eating at their favorite restaraunt because it was a nazi hangout! LOL!
At college, one of my friend's was from Brazil...who was very german looking, with a very german name and 2 german grandfathers! ;}
Unfortunately, the holster was not the original...but has a kriegsadler stamped on it.
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!
tmw
Ducky,
If you stuff the text of the Brady Bill in your shirt, you'll have a well regulated bullet-resistant vest.
Do you trust it?
The 2nd and 4th Amendments are my concealed carry license.
Z learning how to handle a weapon and fire accurately and with confidence is one of the most important things you can do as an American. It's certainly on the top ten list.
If the noise and "kick" of a handgun bother you, try a .38 revolver or a .380 semi-automatic. They can "do the job" without shaking you up. They are known as "lady's guns" but WILL stop a man with two shots.
I suggest the .38 for starters because it's VERY simple to operate, you can get a seven chamber revolver, and the cost of the weapon AND ammo is very cheap.
Becoming a gun owner is a great step in claiming your American heritage. Tell me how it goes, I'd love to talk to you during the process. BTW if it's exceedingly difficult in CA to get a weapon, drive to a neighboring state that's still part of America.
Morgan
AOW, TMW, Brooke, et al: I have heard nothing on the SCOTUS 2nd Amendment stuff. You know, the more I've been reading about the Amero (ahem, tmw), the more I think our SCOTUS just might vote AGAINST us. God forbid.
Morgan...I've been flapping my lips off about getting a gun for a few years now and I think it's time to get serious. Thankfully, we have friends here who are very savvy, but I would like your input, too. Thanks SO much.
Post a Comment