I’m always amused by the lack of knowledge of reporters:
But the semi-automatic ammunition used in one of the weapons would have been illegal under an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004
Semi-automatic ammunition? What’s that?
That question, debated for almost 200 years, was first directly addressed by the Supreme Court in June 2008, when the court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Second Amendment refers to gun ownership as an “individual right,” affirming in the District of Columbia v. Heller case that a citywide ban on handguns was unconstitutional.
Except it hasn’t been debated for 200 years. Not even really 100 years. You won’t find any piece of writing from the 18th or 19th century that speaks to the Second Amendment as a collective right. That notion didn’t come about until the 20th Century.
The proposals put forward by Obama, on the other hand, indicate a preference toward government restrictions intended to curb crime. During a debate on the eve of the Pennsylvania primary, Obama described the right to bear arms as parallel to the right to own private property. In both cases, he said, local governments can regulate how the right is used, as with zoning laws in the case of property.
A preference to control crime, or control guns? Controlling guns doesn’t control crime. Didn’t you just admit in a previous paragraph that DC was the Murder Capital of the U.S. despite the ban?
But I’m mostly nitpicking. Overall, it presents both sides of the issue well. I just wish reporters would speak to experts more often to try to clear up facts.
Also passing gun control laws does not control guns in the hands of those likely to commit crimes with them. The last 2 murderers to kill Philadelphia police officers did so with firearms they had no right to own since they were convicted felons.
Which Amendment in the BOR talks about our Right to own personal property, I forget.
I think semi-automatic ammunition loads itself into the gun. Right?
kaveman308: Fifth Amendment, last line. “Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.” The 3rd and 4th also protect property rights, but indirectly as private property is not explicitely mentioned.
Oh before I forget: the right to KEEP and bear ARMS is a pretty strong statement that arms are protected as private property.
I am not a lawyer.
Jdude
It sprouts legs and jumps in there.
the court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Second Amendment refers to gun ownership as an “individual right,â€
Stiill? ALL NINE said 2A refers to an individual right.
MSNBC couldn’t do good reporting if somebody else did the leg work and wrote the news for the teleprompter.
For the record semi-automatic ammunition not only loads itself, but murders babies while they sleep in their cribs!
LOL!