Supreme Court Strikes Down Handgun Ban
Published Date: 06-26-2008 09:35 PM CT
The Supreme Court has issued the first definitive ruling on handgun rights in U.S. history.The high court struck down a handgun ban in the District of Columbia.The verdict is now echoing across the entire nation...Fox's Craig Boswell reports from Washington.THE BAN ON HANDGUNS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAS BEEN SHOT DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT..TURLEY says: "This is an extraordinary moment. Because after 127 years, the court is recognizing a new individual right." THE 5 TO 4 DECISION ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE HANDGUNS IN THEIR HOMES.JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA, WRITING FOR THE MAJORITY, SAYS, "THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTS AN INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO POSSESS A FIREARM UNCONNECTED WITH SERVICE IN A MILITIA, AND TO USE THAT ARM FOR TRADITIONALLY LAWFUL PURPOSES, SUCH AS SELF-DEFENSE WITHIN THE HOME."FENTY says: "We are disappointed we wish the ruling had gone the other way."D.C. MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY SAYS THE 32-YEAR OLD BAN WAS THE CITY'S WAY TO FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME..FENTY says: "More handguns in the District of Columbia will only lead to more handgun violence."D.C.'s BAN WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE TOUGHEST IN THE NATION....OPPONENTS OF THE LAW SAY THE HIGH COURT UPHELD THE BASIC INTENT OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.NEILY says: "What it did today is in the greatest traditions of the court. It protected people's basic civil right to defend themselves in their home."LAPIERRE says: "The honest people in this country are sick and tired of being left defenseless. And as of today, the Supreme Court has put an end to that."TODAY'S RULING PUTS AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON A CASE DATING BACK TO 2004 ... WHEN A FORMER D.C. SECURITY GUARD-- AND FIVE OTHER RESIDENTS WHO WANTED TO KEEP HANDGUNS IN THEIR HOMES FOR PROTECTION-- CHALLENGED THE LAW.BOSWELL says: "The court also struck down a provision in the law that requires weapons in the home to be disassembled. The ruling could affect gun laws in cities across the nation.
|
© 2007 United Communications Corp. All rights reserved.
Portions Copyright 2007 The Associated Press
Portions Copyright 2007 CBS, Inc.
|
|
|
