The Supreme Court held Monday that the Constitution’s Second Amendment restrains government’s ability to significantly limit “the right to keep and bear arms,” advancing a recent trend by the John Roberts-led bench to embrace gun rights.
By a narrow, 5-4 vote, the justices also signaled, however, that some limitations on the right could survive legal challenges.
Writing for the court in a case involving restrictive laws in Chicago and one of its suburbs, Justice Samuel Alito said that the Second Amendment right “applies equally to the federal government and the states.”
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Justices extend gun owner rights nationwide
Advocates carry handguns, rifles at Virginia rally
CNSNews (AP), “Advocates Carry Handguns, Rifles at Virginia Rally”
by Matthew Barakat and Nafeesa Syeed
Dozens of Second Amendment rights activists holstered their handguns and slung unloaded rifles over their shoulders Monday at a gun rights rally in northern Virginia, while hundreds of like-minded but unarmed counterparts converged in the nation’s capital.
The gun-toting protesters in Virginia were within the bounds of the law but promised to keep the weapons unloaded. Those in Washington, D.C., chose not to carry any firearms in compliance with the district’s strict gun laws, even though many believe the rules are unconstitutional.
Signs reading “Which part of ‘shall not be infringed’ confuses you?” and bright orange stickers saying “Guns save lives” dotted the crowd at the Washington Monument. Across the Potomac River in Alexandria, former Alabama Minutemen leader Mike Vanderboegh told the crowd armed confrontation should be reserved only for instances of the government threatening people’s lives.
CNSNews (AP) article continues here.
More women turning to firearms
The Washington Times, “http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/30/more-females-may-be-turning-to-firearms/”
by Kristin Volk and Joseph Weber
American women are buying guns and taking aim on firing ranges in growing numbers, according to a recent study and interviews with gun-shop owners.
A 2009 study found 70 percent of shop owners reported more female buyers.
The study, conducted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Southwick Associates, also found 80 percent of the female gun-buyers who responded said they purchased a gun for self-defense, followed by 35 percent for target practice and 24 percent for hunting.
Women and shop owners interviewed by The Washington Times offered similar, narrow-ranging explanations for the increases — largely self-defense and concerns about the possibility President Obama would further restrict gun ownership.
The Washington Times article continues here.
Supreme Court considers reach of gun rights
Fox News, “Supreme Court Considers Reach of Gun Rights”
by Lee Ross
The Supreme Court appeared poised Tuesday to issue a ruling that will expand to the states the high court’s historic 2008 ruling that individuals have a federally protected right to keep and bear arms.
If so, the decision would mark another hallmark victory for gun rights advocates and likely strike down Chicago’s handgun ban that is similar to the Washington D.C. law already invalidated by the justices.
The biggest questions before the court seemed to be how, rather than whether, to issue such a ruling and whether some regulation of firearms could survive. On the latter point, Justice Antonin Scalia said the majority opinion he wrote in the 2008 case “said as much.”
Fox News article continues here.