SJC backs trigger-lock law on guns in homes

Boston Globe ^ | March 11, 2010 | John R. Ellement and Martin Finucane

[neverdem]

By citing Cruikshank, I wonder if this decision will affect the upcoming SCOTUS decision in McDonald? The Heller decision in 2008 said safe storage laws are a no go.

[CodeToad]

“the right of society to prevent tragedies “

Where, oh, where is that a constitutional item? And if so, does this mean we can abolish the government as it creates more tragedies than any gun ever has?

[Little Pig]

I would guess not, since DC is kind of an odd situatuon. In this case, odious as it may be, I have to side with the MA sjc. The 2nd simply constrains the fed gov; states are free to enact their own laws on top. This is a case of “if you don’t like it, move” (and so many are doing just that).

[WOBBLY BOB]

“If the courts started interpreting the 2nd Amendment the way they interpret the 1st,we’d have the right to bear nuclear arms by now”- Ann Coulter

[ronnyquest]

A gun is only useful if one can use it when one needs it.

Remember, when seconds count the police are only minutes away.

[SnakeDoctor]

Unlike some other amendments whice state “Congress shall make no law”, the 2nd amendment does not refer to the federal government alone. It says “the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” ... which implies that it shall not be infringed by anyone.

SnakeDoc

[Gabrial]

I ok with this as long as the person kicking in my front door has a trigger lock on his gun.

[Kozak]

The 2nd simply constrains the fed gov; states are free to enact their own laws on top.

Really? So the states can individually ban free speech? Seems to me any constitutional guarantee by the Feds cannot be undone by any local law.

[TChris]

Gun restrictions: Violent Felon Employment Protection Program

[Travis McGee]

Gotta ban swimming pools and dogs over 30 pounds then. They kill far more children.

[ConservativeWarrior]

Trigger locks eliminate all gun accidents and do not prevent a weapon from being brought into action quickly.

This is why police officers carry their weapons with trigger locks in place.

[Mr. Lucky]

You’re bad.

[ronnyquest]

Since the Second Amendment is part of the Constitution, it supersedes state and local law. Only those powers not specifically delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people. In this case, a part of the Constitution specifically states a person's right, just as with the First Amendment.

A law saying that my guns must be locked up and, therefore, difficult to obtain when needed infringes on my right to bear (it's keep and bear) arms.

The Second Amendment needs to be interpreted as intended, not as what it could mean.

[bikerman]

Lets see,some thug is busting in my door I wait till he enters then stab him with my trigger lock key then proceed to beat him upon the head and shoulders with the useless gun. then call police and hope thiers is unlocked OK.

[dynachrome]

Enforcement by door-to-door searches with Rahm’s Blueshirts?

[sefarkas]

This will be another in a long list of laws passed to say we did something to keep us safe from _______ in response to an event way into the tail of propablilities. How exactly can the use of trigger locks be inspected/enforced? If I duct tape it to the gun, then does that count as being on? What exactly constitutes a trigger lock? Are there certified manufacturers, licensed distributors? Is there a QA program for the metal used in the trigger lock? Does an independent agency routinely inspect the manufacturers to assure that the locks produced do what is intended?

[TexasFreeper2009]

The USSC will overturn this.

[SnakeDoctor]

I think general enforcement is problematic ... but criminal charges in connection with another incident would not be unheard of. For instance, if somebody accidentally gets shot, they’ll ring you up on criminal negligence for failure to secure the weapon according to the law.

SnakeDoc

[WackySam]

The 2nd simply constrains the fed gov; states are free to enact their own laws on top.

Dropped on your head much?

[BBell]

Was the rifle loaded or not? It is not clarified in the article.