With a five-to-four Supreme Court decision June 28 that struck down the Chicago handgun ban, my parents said that they could finally get me that handgun I’ve been dreaming of for my birthday later this month. Okay, so maybe I’m not actually rushing out to go buy a gun. But what does the new decision mean for people who choose to own a gun under their Second Amendment rights? What does it mean for the communities they live in?
The Chicago ban had been in place for 28 years, originally intended to curb violent crimes in the city. But in recent years many began to think that the law interfered with their rights to defend themselves. Their thinking was that since criminals own guns regardless, no matter what laws they may be breaking, citizens should be able to legally bear arms to protect themselves from those who possess guns illegally. The Supreme Court seemed to agree.
One citizen, Otis McDonald, decided to challenge the law after he said criminals broke into his Chicago home and repeatedly threatened him. His case, McDonald v Chicago, resulted in the court’s decision. The Court heard a similar case two years ago when it ruled against a ban in Washington D.C. against the possession of handguns for private use in District of Columbia v. Heller. However, this is the first decision that applies nationwide.
The news comes as a relief to some and as a concerning development to others. With already one of the highest firearm-related death rates in the world, many questioned whether this was the right move to take. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was one person who opposed lifting the ban. He’s hoping to push for a new ordinance regulating handguns in the city to comply with second amendment rights, although he offered no explanation for how that might be achieved.
How do you feel about the lift of the ban knowing it now applies nationwide? Would you feel safer living in a community with a handgun ban or the right to have such weapons? The gun ban remains temporarily in effect until a federal appeals court officially overturns the ban, but it will be interesting to see how such a decision affects violence, crime and self defense statistics in the city of Chicago and nationwide.
Posted by Rachel on July 13, 2010 at 1:28pm.
