'Right To Bear Arms' Means Just That

Investors.com ^ | March 3, 2010 | INVESTORS BUSINESS DAILY Staff

[Kaslin]

Otis McDonald, 76, stands before the Supreme Court, which Tuesday heard arguments in his suit to overturn Chicago's handgun ban

Gun Rights: Otis McDonald, 76, an Army vet who lives in a high-crime area of Chicago, thinks the Constitution gives him the right to bear arms to protect himself and his wife as he protected his country. We think so too.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments on behalf of four Chicago residents led by homeowner McDonald, the Second Amendment Foundation and the Illinois State Rifle Association to overturn Chicago's three-decade-old ban on owning handguns.

In a 5-4 decision in 2008, Heller v. District of Columbia, written by Justice Antonin Scalia, the Supreme Court overturned the District of Columbia's draconian, 32-year-old ban on the private ownership of handguns. Scalia wrote that an individual right to bear arms is supported by "the historical narrative" before and after the Second Amendment was adopted.

The joy of Second Amendment defenders was short-lived. A three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, led by Judge Frank Easterbrook, rejected subsequent suits brought by the National Rifle Association against the city of Chicago and its suburb of Oak Park, Ill.

According to Easterbrook, the Revolution was fought and independence won so that the Founding Fathers could write a Constitution with a Bill of Rights that applied only to the District of Columbia.

"Heller dealt with a law enacted under the authority of the national government," he wrote, "while Chicago and Oak Park are subordinate bodies of a state."

We're all for federalism, but the U.S. Constitution is the U.S. Constitution. Surely he can't be serious.

[Red in Blue PA]

According to Easterbrook, the Revolution was fought and independence won so that the Founding Fathers could write a Constitution with a Bill of Rights that applied only to the District of Columbia.

If ever a man was beggin for a lobotomy, it is this man!

[dynachrome]

“but the U.S. Constitution is the U.S. Constitution. Surely he can’t be serious”

Sure he is serious. Why not get rid of that pesky 1st amendment next?

[Neidermeyer]

I’m not from Chicago but if the law there for the last 30 years was against handgun ownership (as stated in the IBD article) why didn’t someone start a handgun leasing business... say a one time upfront payment equal to what you’d pay to purchase elsewhere with 99 year terms???

[Repeal The 17th]

“If ever a man was beggin for a lobotomy, it is this man! “
-
I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

[highlander_UW]

In a 5-4 decision...

What is frightening is that there are 4 supreme court justices that voted to remove our second amendment rights. If the supreme court could remove the 2nd amendment rights how about the first?

[DuncanWaring]

Why not get rid of that pesky 1st amendment next?

Already started.

"McCain-Feingold".

[Le Chien Rouge]

Otis McDonald, you have my support!!

[dynachrome]

At least the Supremes killed part of it. Not a sure thing with obozo appointing Lord knows what to the court over the next 3 years.

[muir_redwoods]

The law was aimed at handgun possession. Leased or purchased, if it is in your possession, you are in violation.

[Red in Blue PA]

Technically, cops should be in violation.

Equal Protection and all that jazz.....

[muir_redwoods]

The same laws that allow cops to break the traffic laws allow them to carry. That’s why these people are known as fascists

[1010RD]

We need simple bumper stickers that say:

“Thank you Otis McDonald”

Let ‘em ask why.

[Red in Blue PA]

Excellent idea.

[SunkenCiv]

Otis McDonald, 76, an Army vet who lives in a high-crime area of Chicago, thinks the Constitution gives him the right to bear arms to protect himself and his wife as he protected his country. We think so too.

[IGOTMINE]

OTIS! My man!

[chargers fan]

Surely he can’t be serious

He is, and don't call me Shirley

[dynachrome]

“I picked a bad time to give up sniffing glue”

[brent13a]

"The same laws that allow cops to break the traffic laws allow them to carry. That’s why these people are known as fascists"

Wow, so who would you call if someone broke into your residence or vehicle? Who would you call if someone kidnapped your child or murdered one of your parents? Would you call 'the fascists'?

[TankerKC]

Wow, so who would you call if someone broke into your residence or vehicle?

Have you ever called? I have. They don't do anything.

Who would you call if someone kidnapped your child or murdered one of your parents?

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