New Media Alliance - Michael Nevin

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court overturned the Washington D.C. gun ban. However, the decision was anything but a slam dunk, as clearly it should have been.

In a 5-4 decision, it is obvious that the liberal wing of the court will choose ideology over reason. Most constitutional scholars, even those who consider themselves left of center, agree that the Second Amendment provides an individual right to keep and bear arms. You don’t have to like it, or be a constitutional scholar, but any honest interpretation of the Bill of Rights plainly refers to the rights of individuals, not the rights of government. The Constitution grants power and authority to government, not rights.

Even liberal columnist Eugene Robinson agreed: “I’ve never been able to understand why the Founders would stick a collective right into the middle of the greatest charter of individual rights and freedoms ever written–and give it such pride of place, the No. 2 position, right behind such bedrock freedoms as speech and religion.” Robinson, whose honesty is refreshing, called for gun control advocates to amend the Constitution, not ignore it.

What a delicious twist of irony that these liberal justices will routinely claim to stand up for the rights of individuals against government intrusion but only when it suits their worldview. None of the Bill of Rights are safe when justices will scour the “penumbras formed by emanations” to justify their decisions.

Fortunately, the Heller decision may ultimately allow citizens who heretofore have been denied reasonable means of self-defense. It is a right they were born with and a right they may finally realize.

Michael Nevin Jr. receives e-mail at nevin166@comcast.net.