Self-Defense Defended
This just in, from the Washington Post:
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, the justices’ first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history.
The court’s 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia’s 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment. The decision went further than even the Bush administration wanted, but probably leaves most firearms laws intact.
…Writing for the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said that an individual right to bear arms is supported by “the historical narrative” both before and after the Second Amendment was adopted.
The Constitution does not permit “the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home,” Scalia said.
Well done.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I, more and more, seem to develop a fondness for that dadgonned “originalist guy.”
Long live Scalia!
June 27th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Malcolm,
is this a test to see if we notice that you haven’t published since Thursday, and if so then let it be said that I took notice when you used to say that you would be off the air!
Jeanie
June 27th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
JK, there’s plenty I don’t see eye-to-eye with Scalia about, but he certainly got this one right.
Jeanie, when I got home from class last night it was after ten, and I was just too hot and worn out to write. And yes, I think twice now about announcing it…
June 28th, 2008 at 12:28 am
I’d agree, but it’s his approach I appreciate. I saw an interview with him on Charlie Rose. He advocates reading the Constitution as a product of its’ time (I think) and “the Injuns” you know were behind every tree.
Actually I really only pay attention to the guy when he writes the decision assent or dissent. Oh I do hope with all the hoopla America’s colleges find themselves in with their mascot names, that I don’t find myself on a path to Scalia’s workplace.