Second Amendment News Roundup Special Edition 6/26/08

This is a special edition of the Second Amendment News Roundup.

The United States Supreme Court ruled today that Americans have the right to own and keep firearms--including handguns--in their homes. The ruling struck down a District of Columbia law banning handguns.

Writing for the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia stated that the record of history both before and after the ratification of the Second Amendment shows that individual citizens have the right to their preferred method of self-protection--the handgun.

The ruling also struck down D.C.'s requirement for safety locks or keeping the firearms disassembled.

The ruling does, however, leave intact many local regulations on the use of firearms.

Shockingly, the decision came with a 5-4 majority. In dissent were Stevens, Breyer, Ginsberg, and Souter, which shows that our precious right to self-defense in this country is a tenuous one.

In fact, the anti-freedom crowd is already attempting to spin the decision to its benefit...Nancy Pelosi being one of them, stating that 'D.C. still has the right to regulate handguns.'

Joining Justice Scalia in the majority were Alito, Roberts, Kennedy, and Thomas.

Naturally, the blogosphere is ablaze with commentary and analysis of the decision. The following is a run-down on the comments of various bloggers:

Let the celebration begin! The Breda Fallacy helps to get us started.

David Hardy at Of Arms and the Law quotes from Justice Scalia's majority opinion, and he follows up with highlighting the major key points in the ruling.

Say Uncle says the 5-4 ruling is too close for comfort. Uncle also has some Key Quotes from the ruling.

Snowflakes in Hell opines on what should scare us about this ruling and says that there is room to work.

David Codrea at The War on Guns provides insightful commentary on the decision, stating that the ruling leaves the door open for continued infringement.

Robb Allen reminds us that this decision is not a call to victory but a call to battle. It ain't over by a long shot.

Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs gives her take on the Heller decision, including a comment on what it might mean to Jihadists.

Nicki at The Liberty Zone weighs in on the decision, including some sharp words for the turncoats, I mean, dissenters.

Tam at View from the Porch does a bit of well-deserved gloating.

Traction Control has the text version of the decision in two separate formats.

The Bitch Girls recognize and thank the key players in today's decision. Had it not been for these valuable persons in the cause, this may have never happened. Go have a look.

Eugene Volokh at The Volokh Conspiracy is one of the ones Bitter Bitch cites as a valuable person in the cause, providing crucial legal guidance. Volokh is cited in the Heller decision as well. You can find plenty of commentary on the Court's action at The Volokh Conspiracy here. Simply scroll down for a variety of commentary and analysis.

Clayton Cramer is another who was cited in the majority opinion, and he provides his take on the ruling here.

Dustin's Gun Blog highlights the 'individual right' aspect of the Heller decision.

Dr. John Lott quotes D.C. Mayor Fenty who is still attempting to act as if the Heller case has not been decided. What a complete idiot.

Michelle Malkin reports that John McCain has jumped on the Heller decision to underscore his differences with Barack Obama on gun rights. And, not surprisingly, Obama does another 'flip flop' on the issue. I suppose now he is the 'Thomas Jefferson candidate' for unrestricted gun rights. ROFL!!

Mike McCarville is reporting that many are applauding the Heller decision today, including U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe.

But wait till you see THIS stunner! McCarville also issues a news alert that a Leftwing blogger is ridiculing the Heller decision on the basis of the 'racial angle.'

Ahab points to a very important component of the Heller decision, which states that the Second Amendment codifies a pre-existing right.

Alphecca comments on the potential ramifications of Heller for the states and for the Chicago ban.

Armed and Safe points to the response of the Brady Bunch to the decision.

Gun Pundit makes an excellent point about the decision today being an affirmation of an old right rather than a 'new right.' He also breaks the thing down into a step-by-step analysis.

Gunservatively highlights a statement in the Heller decision that declares it is not the Court's role to declare the Second Amendment extinct. Read it all.

The various gun websites offer their commentary on the decision. Click on the underscored links to go to the statements issued by Gun Law News, the NRA, the Buckeye Firearms Association, Gun Owners of America, and Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership has not yet released a statement.

Among the major political websites, statements on the Heller decision can be found at The Cato Institute, Human Events (which features an excellent article by Ted Nuggent), and National Review Online (which catches Barack Obama in a blatant lie about his position on gun rights).

I hope this collection of links will be helpful to you as we continue to decipher the ramifications of the Court's action today.