Author Topic: Step in the right direction.  (Read 3993 times)

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Step in the right direction.
« on: March 10, 2007, 06:10:01 PM »
This should go a long way to bring down murder rates in D.C.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17538139/

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2007, 06:12:44 PM »
Lucky Yanks. That'll never happen in Sweden. Or in most European countries for that matter.  :(

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2007, 06:14:03 PM »
for those who are paranoid about clicking links:




WASHINGTON - In the most important ruling on gun control in 70 years, a federal appeals court Friday for the first time used the Second Amendment to strike down a gun law.

In a 2-1 decision, the court overturned the District of Columbia’s long-standing handgun ban, rejecting the city’s argument that the Second Amendment right to bear arms applied only to militias.

The majority held that the activities protected by the Second Amendment “are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual’s enjoyment of the right contingent” on enrollment in a militia.

The ruling is a victory for Tom Palmer, a Washington resident who was once assaulted and wants a gun in the house for self-defense.

"The fact is that the criminals don't obey the law and they do have guns," he said. "It's the law-abiding citizens who are disarmed by this law."

He was one of six who went to court to challenge the city's gun law, passed as an anti-crime measure 30 years ago. It outlaws handguns or rifles except for residents with permits, mainly police or security guards.

Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said the ruling could put more guns in the hands of young people. "I am personally deeply disappointed and quite frankly outraged by today's decision," he said. "Today's decision flies in the face of laws that have helped decrease gun violence in the District of Columbia."

Rival judicial views
The ruling revives a long fight over the 27 words of the Second Amendment: "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

Gun control advocates argue that the phrase "well-regulated militia" means that owning a gun is a group right, subject to restriction.

But the court essentially said the right to bear arms is an individual right for private activities, including self-defense.

“The district’s definition of the militia is just too narrow,” Judge Laurence Silberman wrote for the majority. “There are too many instances of ‘bear arms’ indicating private use to conclude that the drafters intended only a military sense.”

That's precisely the view that the National Rifle Association has advocated for decades.

Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice president, said the decision gives the district “a crack in the door to join the rest of the country in full constitutional freedom.”

Judge Karen Henderson dissented, writing that the Second Amendment does not apply to the District of Columbia because it is not a state.

Silberman wrote that the Second Amendment is still “subject to the same sort of reasonable restrictions that have been recognized as limiting, for instance, the First Amendment.”

Such restrictions might include gun registration, firearms testing to promote public safety or restrictions on gun ownership for criminals or those deemed mentally ill.

Time for Supreme Court?
The city says it will appeal, to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

The Bush administration has endorsed individual gun-ownership rights, but the Supreme Court has never settled the issue.

“I think this is well positioned for review of the Supreme Court,” said Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University. He said the D.C. circuit is historically influential with the Supreme Court because it often deals with constitutional questions.

“You also have a very well-reasoned opinion, both in the majority and the dissent,” Turley said.

If the dispute makes it to the high court, it would be the first case in nearly 70 years to address the Second Amendment’s scope.

Legal experts say Friday's ruling launches a huge battle.

"This is a monumental case that sets up the biggest fight over gun rights in the modern history of the United States," said expert Tom Goldstein.

Misunderstood.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2007, 06:18:42 PM »
You couldn't get that into the heads of neither the politicians, nor the citizens in most countries in Europe. Guns are evil in most Europeans' opinion.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2007, 06:21:32 PM »
You couldn't get that into the heads of neither the politicians, nor the citizens in most countries in Europe. Guns are evil in most Europeans' opinion.

As is the military. They've all gone emo.  :violin:

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2007, 06:25:00 PM »
You couldn't get that into the heads of neither the politicians, nor the citizens in most countries in Europe. Guns are evil in most Europeans' opinion.

As is the military. They've all gone emo.  :violin:

each time you take a man tradition and allow women to infiltrate it like they belong, everything becomes emo.

men and women ARE different.
Misunderstood.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2007, 06:26:57 PM »
I don't think it's that that makes people be anti guns in Europe. I don't know what it is.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2007, 06:29:37 PM »
I don't think it's that that makes people be anti guns in Europe. I don't know what it is.
it is two world wars and europe being the main arena.



europe has never been an all male tradition....
Misunderstood.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2007, 06:31:47 PM »
europe has never been an all male tradition....

Because we never had any frontiers or what do you mean?  ???

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2007, 06:51:25 PM »
You couldn't get that into the heads of neither the politicians, nor the citizens in most countries in Europe. Guns are evil in most Europeans' opinion.

As is the military. They've all gone emo.  :violin:

each time you take a man tradition and allow women to infiltrate it like they belong, everything becomes emo.


That's silly and misogynistic.

Do you think the Israeli army is emo?


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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2007, 06:56:01 PM »
You couldn't get that into the heads of neither the politicians, nor the citizens in most countries in Europe. Guns are evil in most Europeans' opinion.

As is the military. They've all gone emo.  :violin:

each time you take a man tradition and allow women to infiltrate it like they belong, everything becomes emo.


That's silly and misogynistic.

Do you think the Israeli army is emo?



i never said that i wasn't a bit mysogynistic.

i don't know anything about the israeli army.
Misunderstood.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2007, 06:58:57 PM »
You couldn't get that into the heads of neither the politicians, nor the citizens in most countries in Europe. Guns are evil in most Europeans' opinion.

As is the military. They've all gone emo.  :violin:

each time you take a man tradition and allow women to infiltrate it like they belong, everything becomes emo.


That's silly and misogynistic.

Do you think the Israeli army is emo?



i never said that i wasn't a bit mysogynistic.

i don't know anything about the israeli army.

Israeli women have to do military service like the men.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2007, 07:00:14 PM »
PC!

weren't they one of the first to have a female leader?
Misunderstood.

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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2007, 07:03:31 PM »
Both Jewish men and women are required to serve in the Israeli Army and it is one of the most powerful and modern armies in the world. 

PC has nothing whatsoever to do with it.


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Re: Step in the right direction.
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2007, 07:04:32 PM »
Both Jewish men and women are required to serve in the Israeli Army and it is one of the most powerful and modern armies in the world. 

PC has nothing whatsoever to do with it.


it has everything to do with it.
did you answer my question about having a female leader?
Misunderstood.