Not that it’s a big surprise, but the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence takes issue with the Heller ruling:

And now the Supreme Court has overturned over 100 years of judicial precedent and stood the Second Amendment to the Constitution on its head. The 5-4 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, written by Reagan appointee Justice Antonin Scalia, holds that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms for self-defense purposes unconnected with service in a well regulated militia.

As Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, recently wrote: “By deliberately omitting what test the Court is using to decide that [the District’s handgun ban and trigger lock requirement] unreasonably burden this newly proclaimed individual right to possess firearms, the Court leaves legislators and lower courts adrift at a time when public health data clearly shows the harm associated with handguns far outweighs any benefit from their use for lawful self defense.”

The decision is a terrible one and complete misreads the Framer’s intent in drafting in the Second Amendment. It is relatively narrow in scope, however, and leaves many critical questions unanswered. More importantly, it does not prevent gun violence prevention organizations from actively pursuing a wide range of legislative initiatives to reduce gun violence.

The harm from guns outweights any benefit from their lawful use. Debatable, but let’s assume it’s true. Shall we then start applying cost-benefit analyses to other articles in the Bill of Rights? Quick, grab a pencil!

The Ukranian guns are fine. I have a Ukranian Mauser that’s every bit as well made as the German model. I shot a Chinese SKS just last winter and it jammed on the 3rd round almost religiously. Ratty machine work too. I realize it’s the peoples glorious revolutionary gun and must be utilitarian but, that’s no excuse for not taking a finish cut on the lathe!

I’m not a lefty. I just shoot that way because of an operation I had on my right eye as a child. Right wing cyborg implant stuff.

So howcum posting is shut off for the “Reason Triumphs” thread about the Supreme Court’s recent Second Amendment decision? 

Anybody else actually read the Heller decision?  I spent some of my vacation time last week sitting on the beach reading it.  Just a few pages at a time, here and there, so I haven’t finished the dissents yet, but I’ve read enough of Stevens’ dissent to be disgusted.  The guy makes all kinds of flat-out assertions with no supporting authority or analysis.  He just says “it is so”, apparently because “so” is what he thinks it is.

And, as Scalia rightly points out in the majority opinion several times, Stevens is simply wrong in many of his assertions.  It’s an impressive display of disingenuousness.  Talk about pushing an agenda.  His reasoning requires twisting logic beyond belief. 

And all the hyperbolic screeching of the anti-gun/gun-banning types?  Sheesh.  Don’t get me started.  Apparently, now that Satan - excuse me, Scalia - has issued his sinister ruling, we’re all going to die horrible deaths from privately-owned handguns.

I have a Ukrainian SKS that is a great rifle.  Actually an extremely well-made piece of machinery.  Got it as new, unused, old surplus.  The fun part is disassembling it and cleaning out all the old cosmoline.  The suckers are practically indestructible.  I plan on buying at least one or two more.

Roger - didn’t know you were a lefty after all!  I shoot long guns lefty also.

Bob,

I wouldn’t be caught with my cold dead fingers on a chinese SK or AK. Besides, I can put more lead in the target from 100 yards with a K98 bolty than I could with that chinese junk.  And I shoot left handed.

I’d love to go shooting with Cheney! Sure, I might get some bird shot to the face but, I’d also get a chance to move into the inner circle of the very men who control the oil, control the army of imperial oppression, control the weather, control the empire…

control the WORLD!!!!

As for Ed’s incomprehensible rant...I think it was somehow supposed to be a witty response to my post in which I tried (and apparently failed) to point out that using statistics to further a dubious ideological crusade cuts both ways.

I think, once again, I shot high and to the right....missing the teeny tiny target that is Ed’s ability to comprehend by a few hundred feet.

R. Smith and I are going target shooting to celebrate this ruling. I am going to show him the joys of the Chicom knock off a Czech SKS and the AK-47, Soviet made weapons. Unfortunately, R. Smith does not know that I am going to send Dick Cheney as a last minute substitute.

Sorry, forgot the footnote!

* Except in combat situations.

Bisquit, what in the world are you smoking, and where can I score some of it?

Just for you, the fundamental RULES are as follows.  (WARNING: I learned these in the forties, when I was quite young.  That memory may have become degraded with passing years.  I’m doing these from my head, without checking any references.)

1) Every gun is loaded, until/unless you yourself have verified otherwise.  The LAST thing you do, before handing a weapon to someone else, is to make sure that it is unloaded.* The FIRST thing that you do when someone hands you a weapon is to verify that it is unloaded—even if you have just watched someone else unload the weapon before handing it to you.* VERIFY!

2) Do not point a weapon at anything that you aren’t willing to shoot.  Not even if it’s “unloaded”.

3) Be aware of the background.  Whether you’re shooting targets, venison, or murderers, be hyper-aware of where the slug may go if you miss, or if it penetrates and progresses.  You pull the trigger, you are responsible for everything that happens as a result.

Hope that this helps . . . and that you connect me with your connection for what you’re smoking!

Excellent ideas but the root problem with Roger and Greta is that they are way too timid. Don’t you think ?

They can’t seem to express themselves.

Shy diffident people. They just don’t take it far enough. Too many half-ideas that need elaboration and imagination.

I say I think a ban on conservative bloggers would be one better, one more effective alternative to these other suggestions. It would certainly quiet some of the criticisms here on Barticles.

Put duct tape over the mouth and locks on the keyboard. Conservatives should be seen but not heard.

A ban on liberals excellent idea too, whether headless exploding chickens or not. Sorry Pob, that means you. Should address a good bit of the constant whining and sniveling around here.  Nary seen nor heard.

All black males over the age of 10 mandatory sent to Siberia for “re-education”. Make men out of ‘em. Build character. Chief Monroe can get a “real” degree.

Must learn origami to get off of Sverdlosk.  Can’t weave a wallet from hemp ? Too dang bad boy.  You stay put. You can forget that basketball scholarship too. Too cold.

All Siberians of both sexes over the age of 15 sent to Latin American beachs for “re-education” during winter months. Trade vodka for scuba gear.  Vodka worth more than worthless American currency so must trade something else, foolish Yankee Imperialist.

Richmond City school youths sent to Hanover County summer school.  Not “re-education”, just plain “education”. You have to start somewhere. Am I right ?

Make representation in the Congress unpaid and voluntary public service. Run it from the Peace Corps. Young folks can either choose to tutor ignorant pygmies from Borneo or serve in Congress to save our own pygmies from ignorance.  (so to speak).

Some think the pygmies run Congress already. (inclined to agree)

We must first treat the natives, cure their sickness, to end the endless blight and misery of Salmonella and killer tomatoes.  In order to do that we need roads cut through the jungle so they can get adequate healthcare. (good luck)

I-95 is just a cartpath now but we could make it work.  Sure we could.
Need another 10-20 lanes and some repaving. Another 50 lanes on the beltways.

We should give all the terrorists first class tickets to fly over here (free champagne and complimentary mints). That way, we rescue foundering airlines in need of profit. We also see to it we fight them over here, conveniently, instead of Iraq.

Fun to watch the other passengers get nervous. Yes ma’am, the man with a turban is the real thing. Yes, he is cursing you for an infidel.

Wouldn’t it be more fun to fight them in Ohio ? (unless you live in Ohio, that is)Ohio / Iraq.  Ohio / Iraq, Ohio / Iraq, your choice. 

Choose wisely.

Gun safety courses should be mandatory for all kindergarteners. The proper way to hold a hunting rifle, where to find and release the safety on a Glock.

Chapter 4 of the manual:

“Always point with the hollow end at 12 o’clock position radiating outwards from your tatas, the part made out of wood clasped firmly in the hand in such a manner as to not puncture or blow off a body part of your own in the event your finger happens to contract.” (remember that)

You hear all these horror stories about people wounded with gunfire. Well, they wouldn’t be wounded if folks just knew how to shoot straight.  Right now our emergency rooms are choked with illegals and gunshot victims.

I say don’t leave such a big mess for the rest of us to clean up.

Be tidy. This 4th of July don’t drink and drive and if you do shoot up or shoot out, don’t do it haphazardly.

- Mr. Biscuit

Oh wait. I was wrong. There was a drop in BoB murder during the mid 80’s.

you know....during Reagans decade of greed…

Heres the Justice Dept stats.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/tables/ovracetab.htm

Whats interesting is that they are mostly unchanged from 1976 until now, even after trillions squandered on failed social fads.

And...gosh...look at the percentage of black on white murders vs white on black murders!!!

We need more hate crimes legislation!

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