White House reverses [decades old] stand on right to bear arms

Associated Press ^ | Wednesday, May 8 | Associated Press

[spqrzilla9]

Notice the lie embedded in this paragraph:

Mr. Olson, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, was reflecting the view of Attorney-General John Ashcroft that the Second Amendment confers the right to "keep and bear arms" to private citizens and not merely to the "well-regulated militia" mentioned in the amendment's text.

The amendment's text does not mention the "well regulated militia" to the exclusion of the people as implied.

[ricer1]

Let me guess your favorite caliber... .38, right?

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Yeah, more smoke and mirrors.

[PRND21]

Bump

[Hard Case]

Hollow rhetoric. It is also apt to change with every new administration. Let look at the most telling statement:

That right, however, is "subject to reasonable restrictions designed to prevent possession by unfit persons or to restrict the possession of types of firearms that are particularly suited to criminal misuse."

So if the government grants itself the authority put restrictions on it, then it is not truly a right. Agree? Next they want to restrict certain firearms that are particular to criminal use. I'm guessing they are talking about the NFA. So the implication is that criminals prefer these weapons. The only time I see these weapons on the news they are in the hands of the ATF, FBI, DEA, etc. So in essence they have labelled their own alphabet soup JBTs as criminals.

Bottom line, if they can regualte it, it is not a right. "Shall not be infringed" must have meant something else a couple hundred years ago.

[ppaul]

Good news!

[caisson71]

What is this "decade old stance"? Eight miserable years does not a decade make!

[Lancey Howard]

That right, however, is "subject to reasonable restrictions designed to prevent possession by unfit persons or to restrict the possession of types of firearms that are particularly suited to criminal misuse."

Uh... And "reasonable" would mean.....?

[ppaul]

Darn.
Now I guess it wasn't such good news after all.

[RWCon]

Hurrah for W!!!

[Wolfie]

"subject to reasonable restrictions designed to prevent possession by unfit persons or to restrict the possession of types of firearms that are particularly suited to criminal misuse."

Right...just like it says in the Bill of Rights.

[Wolfie]

Hollow rhetoric.

Wrong! Its rhetoric that's full of it.

[spqrzilla9]

Its unlikely that you will get a Supreme Court opinion on the Second Amendment in the Emerson case, the 5th Circuit gave the US S.Ct. an out to affirm their ruling without ruling on the Second Amendment claim.

[Jay W]

There really cannot be any "collective" rights, as a collective cannot think, act, or be, except by definition. Rights can only exist for people, which is the word actually used in reference to them in the Constitution. "The right of the people" always meant each and every person, as that is the only "collective" whose definition and membership criteria is not in doubt. Only an individual can exercise a right. Only an individual can have his or her rights either defended or taken away.

I shudder to think that for decades it was official policy that a common right of the people was viewed as a "collective" right, not an individual right. I am glad that the Bush administration has reversed this long-standing policy, but worry how long it will last.

[Harrison Bergeron]

I'm too much of a cynic to read motives of deep conservative principle into this. They've paid enough attention to the polls to realize that the dems have lost seats in the house and senate just about every time they've pushed gun control in election years.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Washington
Reversing decades of Justice Department policy, the Bush administration has told the Supreme Court
that it believes the Constitution protects an individual's right to possess firearms.

[OldFriend]

LOLOL and predictably, Chuck the Schmuck Schumer is not happy about this......sputter sputter sputter......LOL

[Hard Case]

Wrong! Its rhetoric that's full of it.

I stand corrected. But I don't walk funny....anymore.

[Destructor]

My God! I think I'm gonna pass out!! FReepers actually praising the Bush Administration!!! Never thought I'd see the day.

[backhoe]

I'm pleased- already the radio news is filled with reports that, aw, what are they spinning themselves as now? "Gun Safety Groups?"- are denouncing it, so it must be beneficial!