Effects of this decision. - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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The Roe v. Wade of Gun Rights

Submitted by Marlin, Mar 18, 2008 20:17

The effects of this decision will be interesting. In any case, the military gun collector will win.

If the decision is that there is an individual right, this is a clear win for all people that have a legitimate use for firearms.

If a worse case decision is reached, one that states that there is no individual right that is not tied to the military clause, then the National Firearm Act comes under direct attack, as the only firearms it regulates are military. At that point, it becomes clear that the people only have the right to keep and bear only military gun such as assault rifles and machine guns. This would be great for the military collector, as these have been effectively banned since 1986.

In any case, even if the court allows the decision overturning the DC ban to stand, it will be years before any meaningful changes in the gun laws become functional. I expect cities such as DC, NY, and San Francisco to continue resisting the constitution if it does not match their agenda.

As a small side note, DC has had this law on the books for decades, it has the highest murder rate in the nation, and that rate has gone up for every year since the law went into effect.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
To anyone with even a modicum of knowledge of US history, the fact that the Second Amendment refers to an... [MORE]	Ariel	Mar 24, 2008 13:29
Regardless how the SCOTUS rules, beware the candidate who voted to confiscate a law-abiding citizen's guns in a "national emergency"... [MORE]	KS in TX	Mar 20, 2008 17:24
The effects of this decision will be interesting. In any case, the military gun collector will win. If the decision...	Marlin	Mar 18, 2008 20:17
Mr. Obama has stated publicly that he believes the 2nd Amendment provides an invididuals right, (not a militia right) to... [MORE]	Julia	Mar 18, 2008 11:08
I can see unarming a felon by law becasue they are already criminals. Is like asking a carpenter to give... [MORE]	Flaguypl	Mar 16, 2008 10:03
Cards up front. I am a firearms owner This is going to be one of those defining moments in US history,... [MORE]	Buz Ozburn	Mar 15, 2008 17:05
"...the right of the PEOPLE to bear arms..." how else can this be interpreted? 'People' is meant to be the... [MORE]	chuck higgins	Mar 14, 2008 10:15
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms ... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... [MORE]	Norman	Mar 17, 2008 07:36
The fear engendered on both sides of the gun rights issue is likely to be dissipated, not enhanced, by a... [MORE]	Laurent	Mar 14, 2008 08:48
Your definition of reasonable is unreasonable by some standards. Self protection is not only a right but a responisbility. The... [MORE]	Paul	Mar 15, 2008 23:44
The right to "bear arms" means exatly that, the right to carry a firearm. It does not mean the right... [MORE]	A. Levy	Mar 16, 2008 00:57
I couldn't agree with you more Paul. I also would recommend a uniform trust of licensing throughout the states. It is... [MORE]	kevin in New York State	Mar 17, 2008 00:07