Today in perhaps the most anticipated of the US Supreme Court, the justices, have ruled that the Washington DC gun ban is unconstitutional. The 5-4 decision declared (rightly) that the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution, protects the rights of individuals to keep and bear arms.

For some time now, those who have opposed individual gun rights have argued that the 2nd amendment only applied to militias, this argument is without merit given the entire wording of the amendment and when one takes into account the circumstance of 18th century America. The militia has no modern equivalent. The militia of the 1700s and beyond was an informal all volunteer group of citizens dedicated to protecting themselves, their families and communities. The modern National Guard, while similar in function is a fully integrated component of the US military command structure, unlike the militias of yore.

The courts decision, uploads the rights of individuals to protect themselves, their families and their property. yes there are some that believe only the state should have that function, but I suppose their tune would be quite different if suddenly a bandit chose their home as the next home invasion target, perhaps they could just tell the criminal to wait 15-20 minutes until the police arrive.

Naturally this decision will be vilified by the left who will site erroneous gun facts, that reward criminals by disarming law abiding citizens and providing them with easy prey to fall on.


Previous Articles on Gun Ownership:
Another word on Gun Violence

The VT Massacre and the inevitable Gun Control Debate

Right to bear arms faces the high court

Why they voted no


Links:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSWBT00928420080626?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true