“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.”
Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that citizens have a right to own regardless of whether or not they have served in a “well regulated militia.” Justices Scalia, Roberts, Thomas, Alito, and Kennedy were in the majority. Scalia wrote the majority opinion and stated that “the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home,” violates the Constitution. He also wanted to make it clear that majority’s ruling doesn’t:
“cast doubt on long-standing prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons or the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings.”
Breyer, Stephens, Ginsburg, and Souter dissented stating that they believe the majority doesn’t understand the 2nd amendment as shown by Breyer’s dissenting opinion:
“In my view, there simply is no untouchable constitutional right guaranteed by the Second Amendment to keep loaded handguns in the house in crime-ridden urban areas.”
The NRA has been motivated by the decision and will attempt to get gun ownership restrictions overturned in cities including San Francisco and Chicago. Chicago’s mayor, Richard Daley, said he believes a reversal of their gun ban will cause a spike in violence and force the city to hire more police. Dianne Feinstein, a resident of San Francisco, joined Daley in his concern saying:
“I believe the people of this great country will be less safe because of it,”
