High court's gun ruling doesn't end controversy

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:21:00 GMT

By Brandon Alston

Photo by Johnathan Grinkley

There are about 30,000 gun-related deaths in the United States annually-- walking home from school, waiting for a bus or going to work-- according to CNN.com. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court recently decided that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to have a gun. This decision is considered a “landmark ruling” by Dave Workmen, a senior editor for the Second Amendment website-- a ruling that will render change in the gun community. Workmen does not consider this decision to be an “end all or be all.” Chad Ramsey, a Brady campaign spokesperson, is in agreement with Workmen, “I suspect that the ruling will have little impact [on the issue of gun control],” he said. A non-profit organization called Mothers in Charge, in Philadelphia is involved in the fight against guns with the “50,000 signatures can save 50,000 lives” campaign. Mothers in Charge spokesperson LaVonda Rouse said, “Anytime you can go outside and can buy as many guns as you want to, you know something is wrong.” The limits on how many guns you can buy are represented in House Bill 22. The bill is being considered by the legislation. The potential of the gun control issue lies not in the hands of the Supreme Court judges, but in the upcoming presidential election. The two major candidates have opposing positions. Senator Barack Obama supports the Federal Assault Weapons Ban because he believes guns belong on foreign battlefields, not American streets. Terry Eickhoff, a member of the Second Amendment Patriots, strongly disagrees with Obama. “Obama has made it clear that he intends to ban all guns from everyone except cops,” he said. Eickhoff opposes Obama’s plans so much that he said, “that man has no right to be in the White House.” However, Obama recently explained his view on gun control in the New York Times. “I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures.” Obama also said, “The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view.” John McCain is not in favor of either limits or bans. He is in favor of keeping the current system and making the punishments for the crimes more stringent. For example, McCain is in favor of making instant criminal background checks mandatory for all sales at gun shows. Workmen supports McCain to an extent, “Of the two candidates Barack Obama had [a] worst record on gun control than McCain.” Workmen also said, “McCain’s gun control gun control policies may not be the best, but they are certainly better than his opponent’s.” Workmen said the gun community is looking for a new foundation from which it can build, and the revision of the interpretation of the Second Amendment might be just that.

Penn State Grapevine

High court's gun ruling doesn't end controversy