Handgun ban should stay in Chicago

Chicago Tribune Editorial ^ | 03/04/2010 | Carol Hillman

[BuckeyeTexan]

I am dismayed that the City of Chicago's ban on handguns may be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The second amendment to the Bill of Rights reads as follows: 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.

The amendment talks about a well-regulated militia and thus, it would seem that the right to bear arms is directly related to a militia. In other words, those serving in a militia - or in the present - a branch of the Armed Services - have the right to bear arms. Of course, I cannot prove that my reading of the amendment is correct -- but gun rights supporters cannot prove that the right to bear arms extends to people who are not in the military!

Moreover, gun rights advocates always say that it is not a gun that kills someone, it is a person that does so. That may be, but much of the time, it is a person with a gun! To be sure, some people will always figure out how to get firearms illegally, but it stands to reason that fewer guns means fewer gun deaths.

This is what Police Superintendent Jody Weis said in regard to the ruling striking down a Washington, D.C. handgun ban: "From a law enforcement perspective, this will no doubt make a police officer's job more challenging than it already is, particularly since a firearm is used in 75 percent of all murders committed in the city of Chicago."

I can only speak for myself, but I would feel a lot less safe if the Chicago handgun ban is overturned. I suspect crime rates after the ban is lifted will prove me right!

[BuckeyeTexan]

Ms. Hillman is apparently ignorant of the fact that the majority of the gun crimes committed in Chicago are by criminals who carry concealed weapons illegally. Overturning the gun ban isn't going to change their actions. They'll still rob and murder. A gun ban has consequences for law-abiding citizens, not criminals.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Obviously, this loon isn’t interested in the Bill of Rights. What a ditz.

[The KG9 Kid]

"... The amendment talks about a well-regulated militia and thus, it would seem that the right to bear arms is directly related to a militia."

Carol, you ignorant slut. Read the 'DC vs. Heller' decision.

[SoldierDad]

Hey Carol, what do you think the words, “the right of the people . . . “ refers to? Perhaps you should spend some time reading the Federalist Papers instead of trying to reinterpret the meaning of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. What an fn moron.

[domenad]

I suspect crime rates after the ban is lifted will prove me right!

It would be the first time ever that a liberalized gun law resulted in more crime. DC crime is down since the Heller decision.

[Lurker]

Carol is walking talking living breath proof of the fact that the only people with lower SAT scores than teachers are journalists.

[JMS]

Like all ignorant Liberals, Ms. Hillman thinks that her feelings about feeling safer should trump the rights of those who want to protect themselves rather than hoping that the police will come to their rescue. Again, we hear the idiotic and willfully ignorant idea that a militia is an organized function of the government rather than being made up of able bodied citizens, originally male but now not necessarily so.

[SoldierDad]

" . . . but gun rights supporters cannot prove that the right to bear arms extends to people who are not in the military!"

Yes, Carol, the United States in 1776 had a huge standing army that was positioned to protect the people from it's own government./sarc Stupid is as stupid does (or says).

[mountainlion]

If gun control is so good why do the cities that force it have higher murder rates than deaths in recent wars?

[Disambiguator]

When liberals expose their ignorance, it’s never a pretty sight.

[SkyDancer]

Obviously she ignored the comma then the rest of the amendment where it mentioned “people” not a militia. The comma separates the two ideas ....

[SoldierDad]

This is what Police Superintendent Jody Weis said in regard to the ruling striking down a Washington, D.C. handgun ban: "From a law enforcement perspective, this will no doubt make a police officer's job more challenging than it already is, particularly since a firearm is used in 75 percent of all murders committed in the city of Chicago."

Huh?

[Puppage]

The amendment talks about a well-regulated militia and thus, it would seem that the right to bear arms is directly related to a militia

And, the OTHER 9 pesky amendments in The Bill of Rights? What a douche.

[truthguy]

Carol is walking talking living breath proof of the fact that the only people with lower SAT scores than teachers are journalists.

Yes, I like that line. I'm gonna steal it.

[raptor22]

The right to bear arms is absolute and shall not be infringed...http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2463599/posts

[thefactor]

I cannot believe you failed to put a barf alert here.

[The KG9 Kid]

The best thing about Heller is the permanent "You've got that exactly wrong" response we can give when liberals try to make any point regarding the 'militia'.

Anthony Kennedy didn't even let Walter Dellinger finish his sentence regarding the militia clause in the Heller orals.

[Cheburashka]

Dear Ms. Hillman:

You don't like guns? Then don't buy one.

[WOBBLY BOB]

I’m only dismayed it wasn’t overturned by state law .

[oh8eleven]

I wonder what she thought of another "anti-gun" journalist?