“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Contradicting longstanding legal precedent, the High Court has now crafted a new definition of the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution. The 5-4 majority decision, issued by Justice Scalia, in effect, eliminates the first thirteen words of the Amendment and changes the interpretation from a “collective” right to an “individual” right.
At the same time, the Supreme Court’s ruling clarifies the legitimacy of reasonable regulations. Jeri Bonavia, Executive Director of WAVE Educational Fund, said, “Unfortunately, this decision may lead to a slew of litigation, testing the validity of current gun laws, yet we believe today’s ruling makes it very clear that the 2nd Amendment will not stand in the way of commonsense gun violence prevention policies. Ultimately, our right to freedom from gun violence will triumph, and reasonable regulations will be maintained.”
WAVE Educational Fund will continue to pursue public safety policies such as requiring criminal background checks prior to all gun sales–a measure that is supported by the vast majority of Wisconsin’s citizens, including gun owners and NRA members. “Today’s decision will not in any way hamper our pursuit of crime-fighting, life-saving regulations,” stated Bonavia. “In fact, we are hopeful that the Supreme Court’s ruling will depolarize the gun debate. This decision should eliminate the pro gun lobby’s fear that any efforts to prevent gun violence will lead to a total ban on guns. Now that the gun lobby can rest assured that there will be no ’slippery slope,’ hopefully they will work with us to achieve important and commonsense regulations.”
For More Information:
Supreme Court Decision- Official Transcript of the Ruling on District of Columbia v. Heller
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: Supreme Court Information
The Legal Community Against Violence: History of the 2nd Amendment and its Interpretations
June 26, 2008 CNN Article
