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Handgun laws : Supreme Court sparks 2nd amendment controversy

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | October 1, 2009 at 05:29 am

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A new controversy may be sparked regarding the debate about state and local gun controls.

The Supreme Court is examining Chicago's ban on handguns and will determine a new ruling:

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court could ignite a vigorous new fight over state and local gun controls across the nation when it rules on a challenge to Chicago's handgun ban.
The court said Wednesday it will consider a challenge to Chicago's ban, and even gun control supporters believe a victory is likely for gun-rights proponents.

If the court rules that the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms doesn't allow the city's outright handgun ban, it could lead to legal challenges to less-restrictive laws that limit who may own guns, whether firearms must be registered and even how they must be stored.

The court last year moved in the direction of voiding tough gun control laws when it struck down a prohibition on handguns in the District of Columbia, a city with unique federal status. Now the court will decide whether that ruling should apply to local and state laws as well. The court will hear arguments in the case early next year, and a ruling probably would follow in the spring.

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a211423

at 08:03 on October 1st, 2009

I am not a gun advocate, but I support the Constitution. I wish time and energy would go into creating a safer process for buying guns with a waiting period , safe storage of guns in homes, and gun exchange programs that allow people to turn in guns. Guns for cash programs are fairly successful in getting handguns off the street.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:55 on October 1st, 2009

Hugh Askew

at 10:08 on October 1st, 2009

While opposed to guns in principle, i am of the opinion that my right to bear arms should not be tampered with.

a211423

at 10:08 on October 1st, 2009

Thanks Roy : )

2nd ammendment support (not verified)

at 01:15 on October 10th, 2009

You speak of regulation, exchanges, and programs for buybacks, mostly negatives for a law abiding citizens unless you can explain otherwise- but nothing of education on firearms, support for qualified citizens, etc., which tells me somewhat you have already excluded the idea of a constitutional protection from the argument.