The Rabbi

About the umpteenth call like this today. -ring ring- Eastside. Can I register for a gun there? We don't register guns in this state. Then how would I go about doing it? Doing what, sir? Registering for a gun. You don't register for one. You just come in and buy it. OK, thanks (unconvinced). Bye. Maybe he meant like registering wedding china or something. It is no wonder we continue to have gun control laws here. People have been buffaloed into thinking a gun is something esoteric and hard to get. In reality it isn't too much more than a big screen TV.

Translation of Len's email from the Brady Campaign: I'd be curious to see a national poll on the decision. I would bet a large majority are happy with it.

The issue isn't that they will go off accidentally. The issue is they will not go off intentionally. Firing pins tend to break at inconvenient moments. Stoppages are frequent. I guess I'd rather have one than my bare hands. But it isn't something I'd really want to bet my life on.

No, they aren't. It gets back to Scalia's comment about if you ban newspapers but allow magazines. No one would agree that it isn't an unreasonable infringement. Of course, I dont personally see the problem with banning everything but revolvers.

John Paul Stevens was a Ford appointee. Anthony Kennedy was a Reagan appointee. David Souter was a George Bush appointee. Similarly Earl Warren was appointed by Eisenhower, expecting him to be a conservative. It doesn't always work out that way. As far as orgs doing good: GOA seems to just ride on the NRA's coattails, until they get a chance to zing them for something. JPFO is a bunch of loudmouths who talk chiefly to themselves.

Yes. It is a first step and represents powerful ammo for future fights. SPeaking of future fights, I would encourage people to donate money to the NRA, which will be the point organization in pursuing these lawsuits and lobbying efforts. They are the only pro-gun org with a demonstrated history of achievement in this area. I know what the criticisms are. But again, the track record cannot be ignored. Please consider joining if you aren't a member or donating the next time they send a card (probably daily).

The Court said it wasn't out to define the entire field, only to offer an opening. THe Chicago ban will be the first one to be challenged and it will be overturned, I am pretty sure. ETA. OK, I see the NRA already has that in mind. From the Yahoo article:

I didnt expect the court to strike down a lot of existing legislation. Iwasn't surprised. It seems only an outright ban is unconstitutional. A licensing scheme, like NYC has, is still OK. Here is Scalia in his opinion.

Look at the poll on SCOTUSblog, 86% are pleased with the decision. If nothing else, this will give impetus for new RTC legislation.

I suspect the rest of it will be disappointing.

Heller affirmed. There is an individual right to firearms ownership.

And the checks are that the justices are nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate. Also that a case must be brought. You will never find a case where the Congress simply ignored what the SC said. Typically they go back and recraft the legislation in light of court rulings, which usually spell out what the objectionable part is. That has been the case with abortion and affirmative action.

Judiciary has the right of judicial review. Ipso facto they cannot defy legislative authority.

Showing your age I see. I guess no one under about 44 would remember Nixon and the Watergate tapes. Nixon opposed Congress, which had subpoenaed the tapes. Case went to SCOTUS. Nixon said he would only abide by a "clear majority." Didn't define what a clear majority was. In any case the decision was unanimous. But it was a close-call constitutional crisis with rumors of a dictatorship.

Well said!

No. My humor is infectious....

No, Pepto Bismol. For right after the sauerbraten....

Yeah, and then you end up with a big constitutional crisis. Anyone remember the last time this became an issue?

But they decided it was unconstitutional. And they are the ultimate authority in interpretation.

This forum is better than an electric cattle prod on open mike night....

Me too. Pabst Blue Ribbon is my favorite. I did pick up a 12 of Strohs recently. It was Ok. Nothing to write home about. Stick it deep in the fridge, serve in a frosted glass, and all of them taste OK. Especially after the 3rd one.

Steel Reserve? Did your tastebuds get napalmed in the war? I won't even drink that stuff (unless it's free of course)

Actually I think that's a mis-reporting of the decision. The decision disallowed the death penalty where the death of the victim was not intended. How you determine that is a different question. I don't think sitting in jail, especially as a child molester, for the rest of your life is exactly a picnic. That might actually be worse. My issue was that they stepped in on what a state legislature had decided. I think the judiciary needs to give legislatures, as representatives of the people, broad leeway in setting penalties.

Yes. Although I have to say the times when I've gotten blown I am pretty certain it's happened. Except that one night in Toledo.....

Do you read this stuff before you post it? The SCOTUS cannot strike down the 2A. It is legally impossible. Even if they find there is no individual right, that doesn't make everything prohibited suddenly. In TN we have the state constitution conferring an individual right at least to own guns. If necessary I would close my shop tomorrow and go dig ditches.