The Washington D.C. Gun Ban

Summary

• Considers the Washington D.C. handgun ban constitutional (February 11, 2008)
• Supports the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the Washington D.C. handgun ban (June 26, 2008)

Summary

• The 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms is an individual right.
• Other municipalities that have banned handguns have infringed on Americans' legitimate right to bear arms for self-defense.

"What I've been saying consistently is what the Supreme Court said today. The D.C. law may have been struck down but they also affirmed the right of local communities to engage in background checks and other common-sense laws that most lawful gun-owners would agree with." [1]

Q: You've said in Idaho recently ... 'I have no intention of taking away folks' guns.' But you support the D.C. handgun ban –
Obama: –right–
Q: –and you say that it's constitutional. How can you reconcile those two positions?
Obama: Because I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think that it is important for us to recognize that we have a tradition of handgun ownership and gun ownership generally ... We also have violence on the streets that is a result of illegal handgun use, and so there's nothing wrong with a community saying 'We are going to take those illegal handguns off the streets, we are going to trace more effectively how these handguns are ending up on the streets ... and cracking down on the various loopholes that exist ... I think we can have reasonable, thoughtful gun control measures that still respect the second amendment and people's traditions." [2]

“Today’s decision is a landmark victory for Second Amendment freedom in the United States. For this first time in the history of our Republic, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms was and is an individual right as intended by our Founding Fathers. I applaud this decision as well as the overturning of the District of Columbia's ban on handguns and limitations on the ability to use firearms for self-defense.

“Unlike Senator Obama, who refused to join me in signing a bipartisan amicus brief, I was pleased to express my support and call for the ruling issued today. Today’s ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller makes clear that other municipalities like Chicago that have banned handguns have infringed on the constitutional rights of Americans. Unlike the elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness, today’s ruling recognizes that gun ownership is a fundamental right — sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly."

[1]

June 26, 2008
Reacting to News
Of The Supreme Court Decision
Overturning Washington D.C. Gun Ban

[2]

February 11, 2008
Chesapeake Challenge
The Barack Obama Interview

Link to Video Source

June 26, 2008
Campaign Statement, Issued On News
Of The Supreme Court Decision
Overturning Washington D.C. Gun Ban