Oral Arguments Heard In Critical Second Amendment Case For Which NRA Filed A Friend Of The Court Brief
Written by C D Michel
Chicago, IL –-(Ammoland.com)- The case, U.S. v. Skoien, addresses the standard of review to be applied when laws are challenged under the Second Amendment.
The NRA argued in its amicus brief that the highest standard, “strict scrutiny” test should apply, meaning that any gun-control law must address a compelling governmental interest, and any legislation enacted to address that interest must be narrowly tailored so as not to unnecessarily infringe on the right to keeps and bear arms.
The Skoien case challenges the constitutionality of 1996 Lautenberg Amendment on Second Amendment grounds. That Amendment prohibits anyone convicted of a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” from possessing firearms. Thousands of good people, including police and soldiers, have been deprived of their fundamental rights under this law; despite leading exemplary lives.
The original three judge panel of the Court of Appeals used intermediate scrutiny review (under which the government must establish only that the challenged law is substantially related to an important government interest) because Mr. Skoien only claimed the Amendment infringed on his right to hunt, rather than his right to self-defense. But the Court noted that strict scrutiny would apply when considering challenges to laws that infringe on the more fundamental right to self-defense. The Government requested that the Seventh Circuit’s en banc panel of judges review that decision by the three judge panel. This request was granted. Oral argument occurred on May 20, 2010.
The audio of the oral arguments can be heard here.
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Unfortunately, as clear as the original intention of the Bill of Rights was written, the nine justices who are sworn to properly interpret and uphold the original intent of the Constitution wield a big ax in allowing their political leanings and personal agendas to enter into their interpretations and persuasions. The 4 left-leaning justices would be happy to effectively set aside the original intention of these rights, especially the 2nd Amendment right, in corroboration with the left leaning president, who believes that the Constitution itself is a 'living document', meaning it is subject to change according to the whims of… Read more »
Hey Lee; the law ( Constitution and bill of rights ) are just that, rights, Politicians have been interpeting them since they were written for their various agenda's. It's simple, even the sleazyist lawyer knows ( won't admit it ) that the second amendment means exactly what it says. An American citizen can own a gun. Even the restrictions for crime and criminals are bogus. Criminals should be in jail or in the ground , therefore the ownership issue is moot. Once a criminal has served his time, his rights should be restored. If he continues criminal activity he should… Read more »
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It is clear the people don't seem to value their civil rights. As they keep electing people in to office that want to keep trying to do away with them. So I propose this. Just to see if anyone still values them. Take the entire bill of rights and place them on hold for one year. If there is a major outcry then they are important. If not then they really wern't. If they are valued then after that one year of no rights they will comprehend that if it is important they will fight for it and keep those… Read more »
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What side of the 2A does the NRA represent?
The founding fathers studied every word of the 2A and their meanings in the law at the time of the writing of the 2A.
Shall is a command, Not is a prohibition, Infringed in the law at the time of the writing of the 2A means trespass which is entry and transgress which is encroachment thus we have in the 2A [“a commanding prohibition against the entry and encroachment upon the Right to keep and bear arms”.]
So what part of Shall not be infringed does the NRA not understand
Boy, the NRA is great at using weasel-words: "so as not to UNNECESSARILY infringe (emphasis mine) on the right to keep and bear arms.
The 2nd Amendment doesn't mention UNNECESSARILY infringe. But I suppose the NRA couldn't do much fundraising if they asked: How does the multitude of federal, state, and local firearms laws not violate the wording and intent of "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed"?