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Court Hears Gun Case Today

Nation's firearms laws in the balance as Supremes hear arguments

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 18, 2008 9:08 AM CDT
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(Newser) – One of the oldest and most hotly debated constitutional amendments—the right to bear arms—comes under scrutiny by the Supreme Court today. The court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of Washington DC's stringent ban on handguns. The ruling, which will arrive in June, is sure to have a major impact on the national debate over firearms, USA Today notes.

"A Supreme Court decision has a moral, political, and cultural meaning as well as a legal meaning," says a Temple law professor. "I think it is going to have a huge impact." The court has never directly addressed the fundamental question of the 2nd Amendment—whether individuals, not just those in a militia, have a right to keep weapons. 

Guns line the walls of the firearms reference collection at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. DC's ban on guns is to be scrutinized by the Supreme Court.
Guns line the walls of the firearms reference collection at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. DC's ban on guns is to be scrutinized by the Supreme Court.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
Most of these guns were seized during crimes under a 31-year-old law in the nation's capital that bars handgun ownership for nearly everyone except law enforcement. That ban is now in jeopardy.
Most of these guns were seized during crimes under a 31-year-old law in the nation's capital that bars handgun ownership for nearly everyone except law enforcement. That ban is now in jeopardy.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Police patrol a plaza in southeast Washington, which is wracked by gun violence.
Police patrol a plaza in southeast Washington, which is wracked by gun violence.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Department of Justice • John Roberts • John Ashcroft • Washington DC • gun control • Anthony Kennedy • Second Amendment • US Supreme Court • National Rifle Association • handgun • constitutional law • gun ban • Scotus • Temple University • David Kairys • Dick Anthony Heller

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