Friday, 27 June 2008

The right to arms

In the world's most heavily-armed country, with a history of a violent gun culture, the US Supreme Court has ruled that Americans have a a constitutional right to own guns for self-defense in their homes.

This is the first major change on gun rights in US history in 70 years.

The court's 5-4 ruling struck down a 32-year-old ban in Columbia on handguns. It was 'incompatible with gun rights' under the Second Amendment.

This decision goes further than what the Bush administration wanted, but probably leaves most firearms restrictions intact.

Also see Gun laws in the United States (by state)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Well, if you are going to have a Bill of Rights, you have to live or die by them right?