Yesterday a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by citizens backed by the NRA against the District of Columbia's 28-year-old ban on handguns and other weapons. One of the nation's most draconian firearm ordinances, the DC ban not only outlaws handguns, but requires shotguns, rifles and other weapons to be kept unloaded, locked and in some cases disassembled.
But this isn't just a ban on handguns -- it's also a ban on irony. In his ruling, Judge Reggie Walton repeated the oft-spoken (and incorrect) assertion that the Second Amendment to the Constitution does not guarantee the right to own guns to citizens, but rather is intended to protect them against a potential tyrannical government. Not one judge, lawyer, or media pundit has yet to explain what the difference between these two conditions are -- as if a government sufficiently tyrannical to warrant armed revolt is going to very genially allow us to run out and buy guns in order to fight it.
But not only on guns and irony -- but also realism. The District of Columbia is one of the worst, most crime-ridden places in the United States. Outside of the hallowed halls of the Russell Office Building and Supreme Court, where armed guards are available 24/7 to protect the same legislators and judges who do not think that Americans should protect themselves, the level of street crime in the city -- especially in its impoverished southeastern section -- beggars belief. This state of affairs exists precisely because of the lack of logic behind prohibiton laws as a concept, not jut as relates to firearm ordinances.
The only people who obey firearms laws are those who would not have considered committing an armed robbery, assault, murder etc. in the first place -- and so the only people left over with weapons are those who wish you ill, and the few brave souls willing to risk incarceration and theft of property by the state in order to protect themselves, their families and others. The state encourages a "Wild Wild West" scenario by declaring everyone an outlaw regardless of intent.
Needless to say, the anti-life lobbyists are lauding Judge Walton's decision. Matt Nosanchuk of the Violence Policy Center said, "It's a big victory for those who overwhelmingly believe that we need fewer guns on our streets, not more." No clarification was forthcoming from Mr. Nosanchuk on exactly how a law effecting law-abiding citizens in their homes will prevent firearm proliferation on the street. But then such things never seem to get addressed by such people.
Phaedrus
But this isn't just a ban on handguns -- it's also a ban on irony. In his ruling, Judge Reggie Walton repeated the oft-spoken (and incorrect) assertion that the Second Amendment to the Constitution does not guarantee the right to own guns to citizens, but rather is intended to protect them against a potential tyrannical government. Not one judge, lawyer, or media pundit has yet to explain what the difference between these two conditions are -- as if a government sufficiently tyrannical to warrant armed revolt is going to very genially allow us to run out and buy guns in order to fight it.
But not only on guns and irony -- but also realism. The District of Columbia is one of the worst, most crime-ridden places in the United States. Outside of the hallowed halls of the Russell Office Building and Supreme Court, where armed guards are available 24/7 to protect the same legislators and judges who do not think that Americans should protect themselves, the level of street crime in the city -- especially in its impoverished southeastern section -- beggars belief. This state of affairs exists precisely because of the lack of logic behind prohibiton laws as a concept, not jut as relates to firearm ordinances.
The only people who obey firearms laws are those who would not have considered committing an armed robbery, assault, murder etc. in the first place -- and so the only people left over with weapons are those who wish you ill, and the few brave souls willing to risk incarceration and theft of property by the state in order to protect themselves, their families and others. The state encourages a "Wild Wild West" scenario by declaring everyone an outlaw regardless of intent.
Needless to say, the anti-life lobbyists are lauding Judge Walton's decision. Matt Nosanchuk of the Violence Policy Center said, "It's a big victory for those who overwhelmingly believe that we need fewer guns on our streets, not more." No clarification was forthcoming from Mr. Nosanchuk on exactly how a law effecting law-abiding citizens in their homes will prevent firearm proliferation on the street. But then such things never seem to get addressed by such people.
Phaedrus
