Originally Posted by Skerlnik

I'll ask the same question here, that I didn't get much of an answer for earlier.

If, for some odd reason, the 2nd Amendment was actually repealed, nationally, and gun ownership became criminalized, how many here would own guns anyway? How many here consider gun ownership to be a fundamental "right" irregardless of the Constitution?

The idea I am getting at is that many people seem to be strict Constitutionalists only when it suits their particular vision of what the Constitution "should" say.

At least that's the impression I am left with.

Originally Posted by Skerlnik

I'll ask the same question here, that I didn't get much of an answer for earlier.

If, for some odd reason, the 2nd Amendment was actually repealed, nationally, and gun ownership became criminalized, how many here would own guns anyway? How many here consider gun ownership to be a fundamental "right" irregardless of the Constitution?

The idea I am getting at is that many people seem to be strict Constitutionalists only when it suits their particular vision of what the Constitution "should" say.

At least that's the impression I am left with.

Originally Posted by Skerlnik

I'll ask the same question here, that I didn't get much of an answer for earlier.

If, for some odd reason, the 2nd Amendment was actually repealed, nationally, and gun ownership became criminalized, how many here would own guns anyway? How many here consider gun ownership to be a fundamental "right" irregardless of the Constitution?

The idea I am getting at is that many people seem to be strict Constitutionalists only when it suits their particular vision of what the Constitution "should" say.

At least that's the impression I am left with.

Originally Posted by goober

Still, given the thousands of posts this topic has generated, an actual SC ruling will be an interesting addition to the discussion.

There is a theory, that no matter what a potential SC justice has expressed over a lifetime,when they become a justice of the SC, they are immediately immersed in a social circle that is predominantly liberal. After all if you are a SC justice you are far more likely to have lunch with Dean of Harvard Law School than with the Dean of the East Podunk Christian Academy of Law. And we are all concerned with what our peers think of us, so the pressure to "rise to fill the robes" becomes huge, and the more prestigious an institution is, the more likely that Liberals will fill the top spots.
So while the meat and potatoes Republicans may look at a court where the 7 of the 9 justices were appointed by presidents who described themselves as conservative, and think all gun laws are about to be stricken from the books, there is a good chance that gun bans will be strengthened.

Anyway the big difference between this and the hundreds of other threads on the this topic is that this thread will have a definite answer within a relatively short time.

Originally Posted by Kash

Not yet, going to be this Fall though.

I discussed the case in a Law & Society class and a political science seminar on the Supreme Court, the latter of which I am currently taking.

Originally Posted by goober

OK, so you drive through a leafy suburb of Virginia and into the downtown DC area.
A) you don't see a lot of people on the street in Virginia
B) When you do see them they are white, upper middle class.
C) When you get to DC, the people on the street are poor and black

How silly of you not to notice the difference...........

Originally Posted by goober

Actually poor people are more prone to violence. In America, especially in large cities like DC, poor people are more likely to be black.

Originally Posted by SomeMarine

Well, I for one would definatly abide by the law.

Don't worry about those mounds of dirt in my backyard, I was just prepping the ground to plant some rose bushs.

Originally Posted by ThorHammer

I suspect personal firearm ownership being taken away from citizens is a red-line for many people. If it ever did come about (which I think is unlikely) the shooting would start soon after.

Originally Posted by jviehe

No doubt many people are, and I dont pretend to claim that the Constitution is clear on everything, but on this it is. It says straight out, the right to bear arms shall not be infringed. Now, if the country repealed the 2nd amendment, Im betting there would be another revolution. I dont beleive in fundemental rights though, only those which you can secure for yourself. I would renounce my citizenship and move.

Originally Posted by goober

Of course one interesting aspect is that the Justices live near and work in the city of Washington DC, so the thought of driving to work through a "right to carry concealed weapons area" may just influence their votes a tad.

Originally Posted by Skerlnik

I can't imagine it ever would, really. But, it's interesting to see who submits to the "will of the people" and who considers themselves and their interpretations beyond mere laws.

In essence, should the People control the Constitution, or should the Constitution control the People? Which is foremost?

Originally Posted by Skerlnik

I'll ask the same question here, that I didn't get much of an answer for earlier.

If, for some odd reason, the 2nd Amendment was actually repealed, nationally, and gun ownership became criminalized, how many here would own guns anyway? How many here consider gun ownership to be a fundamental "right" irregardless of the Constitution?

The idea I am getting at is that many people seem to be strict Constitutionalists only when it suits their particular vision of what the Constitution "should" say.

At least that's the impression I am left with.

Originally Posted by ThorHammer

But this isn't a matter of the "will of the people" vs the Constitution.

Originally Posted by SomeMarine

Well, I for one would definatly abide by the law.

Don't worry about those mounds of dirt in my backyard, I was just prepping the ground to plant some rose bushs.

Originally Posted by Porras

Every man and woman on the planet has a duty to protect themselves and their family.