 | WE WIN! BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN? By now you have heard the great news. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Second Amendment restricts what states and cities, just as the court found two years ago that this same part of the Bill of Rights restricts what the federal government, can do in regulating firearms. In McDonald v. Chicago, we have a victory, but it is far from complete. In fact, it's a mess. Just as driving instructors often say a new license is really a "license to learn," this decision by the court is, more than anything else, a license to sue. On the one hand, the court said in this 5-4 decision (straight split of conservatives and liberals on the court) that the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals must take the case back (in effect, SCOTUS said that the Chicago gun ban law is unconstitutional). It also said (as it did in the Heller decision two years ago) that many gun control laws can remain. Now, we get to find out which of the thousands of restrictive gun laws can stand up to legal challenges, and the only way to find out is to go to court. More on that in a minute, but first, Chicago is busy working out ways to just barely stay within the new Supreme Court edict, yet keep its boot on the necks of lawful Chicago residents who want to have a handgun for self defense. Expect the Windy City to follow the lead of Washington, D.C, which put many barriers -- and expenses -- in the way of those who want to get a permit to own a gun. Here's an example of the way Chicago's "leaders" are thinking...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY. |
