Category: 2nd Amendment

There was more talk about machine guns in oral arguments than I had hoped for in a case that had nothing to do with it.   We are a long way from machine gun rights if oral arguments are any indication.  We may never get there.

Souter, Stevens and Ginsburg seem to be pretty focused on the English Bill of Rights in terms of how to interpret its limitations.  Why?  I thought we had this little thing known as the American Revolution?  To me the English Bill of Rights is only tangentuilly important in terms of the meaning of the Second Amendment.

Bitter’s report from the people coming out seem to indicate that some folks are optimistic about the outcome, while others are more guarded.  I will update with more information as I can get it.

According to Bitter there was a verbal scuffle between the two sides of the debate, that ended up involving Peter Hamm.  Her take on this is negative since it will likely get all the media attention, diverting attention away from the actual debate.

Well, it could be the title of a really atrocious movie, or Plan ‘B’ could be a new contraceptive pill, or it could be DC’s plans if they lose.

Go here.

A pro-Heller editorial by Ellis Washington of the Christian Science Monitor.

From Professor Randy Barnett:

To shrink from enforcing a clear mandate of the Constitution — as, sadly, the Supreme Court has often done in the past — would create a new precedent that would be far more dangerous to liberty than any weapon in the hands of a citizen.

This case is about a lot more than guns.  If the federal courts are unwilling to give an honest reading of a very clear portion of the Bill of Rights that the majority of Americans and their elected representatives say means exactly what it says, then they can no longer be depended up for ensuring the United States remains a Constitutional Republic.  The meaning of the document will have been reduced to a fad, and we’ll all be the losers.

SCOTUSBlog will live blog the results.  Talked to Bitter who is outside.  She said pro-gun representation is pretty low outside, but that’s not too surprising considering that no one asked anyone to show up.  The line, I’m told, consisted mostly of law students.  A few people we know would appear to have gotten in, including Countertop, from what I’m hearing.  So that is good news.

Paul Helmke and Peter Hamm were there from what Bitter said.  They went in.  I told Bitter if she sees them coming out to get a picture of herself with them.  I want the look on their faces as they come out to be forever preserved.  According to Bitter, their talking points this morning have been very down; they are already acting as if they’ve lost this one.

I just wanted to wish you both good luck.

We’re all counting on you.