SCOTUS set to rule on 2nd Amendment Thursday

[Casa Grande]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2008
   


Contact: Jim Suydam
(512) 463-5339
(512) 417-5382 cell
MEDIA ADVISORY
SCOTUS set to rule on 2nd Amendment Thursday
Patterson available for comment on implication of historic decision on the right to bear arms

AUSTIN - Jerry Patterson, author of the state's concealed handgun law, will be available for comment Thursday following the expected release of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on D.C. vs. Heller.

Patterson is one of Texas' leading voices on the right to bear arms, and closely tracked this potentially broad-reaching case involving an individual's right to bear arms. A former state senator, former U.S. Marine, Vietnam Veteran and current Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, Patterson is well known for his often blunt but always thoughtful analysis of Second Amendment issues.

WHO:             Jerry Patterson, Texas Land Commissioner and author of the Texas concealed handgun law

WHAT:           Available for comment following the expected release of the SCOTUS decision on D.C. vs. Heller, a case expected to have broad implication on the individual’s right to bear arm.

WHEN:           Following an expected 9 a.m. release of the decision Thursday, June 26

WHERE:        Available for live or taped interviews in Austin

WHY:              To add meaningful Texas context to an important national story

[badknees]

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, the justices' first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history.


 
The court's 5-4 ruling struck down the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment. The decision went further than even the Bush administration wanted, but probably leaves most firearms laws intact.

The court had not conclusively interpreted the Second Amendment since its ratification in 1791. The amendment reads: "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 basic issue for the justices was whether the amendment protects an individual's right to own guns no matter what, or whether that right is somehow tied to service in a state militia.

Writing for the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said that an individual right to bear arms is supported by "the historical narrative" both before and after the Second Amendment was adopted.

The Constitution does not permit "the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home," Scalia said. The court also struck down Washington's requirement that firearms be equipped with trigger locks or kept disassembled, but left intact the licensing of guns.

[Casa Grande]

MEDIA ADVISORY
Patterson statement on DC vs Heller decision

AUSTIN - Jerry Patterson, father of the states' concealed handgun law, issued the following statement on today’s historic U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming the individual right to keep and bear arms.

"Today is a great day for every American, a great day for the Constitution and a great day for the Bill of Rights. This decision affirms an inviolate right our Founding Fathers were wise enough to recognize in our Bill of Rights. The Second Amendment protects all other rights enumerated in our Constitution, so this decision strengthens the very Republic itself."

"In Texas, this decision won't mean very much because our right to keep and bear arms is already clearly stated in our state Constitution. But cities like New York or states like New Jersey will no longer be able to trample on their citizens' Constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. States and cities with onerous gun restrictions will see those laws challenged and eventually overturned."

[bdhawk133]

"Oh, yeah? Well, I talk LOUD, and I carry a BIGGER stick! And I use it, too!"

- Yosemite Sam
This seemed to fit the moment?

[presidio]

MEDIA ADVISORY
Patterson statement on DC vs Heller decision

The NPS gun ban will be the next to go. Given the sweeping scope of the court opinion, it may affect the NPS more broadly than they realize. The last day to comment is June 30. Those who abhor guns are encouraged to stay a safe distance from the word 'gun' and avoid mentioning anything about it.

[SHANEA]

Jerry Patterson: National parks gun ban unconstitutional

[Roy]

Now this:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25479434/
should tell us a bit more.  I was expecting quite a few law suits, but not one like this.

[badknees]

Now this:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25479434/
should tell us a bit more.  I was expecting quite a few law suits, but not one like this.

Should be the first of MANY. NYC will be on the list.