Supremes to Decide Major Gun Control Case

The Supreme Court has decided to review the D.C. handgun ban case, which could dramatically affect gun control legislation around the country:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide whether the District of Columbia can ban handguns, a case that could produce the most in-depth examination of the constitutional right to "keep and bear arms" in nearly 70 years.

The justices' decision to hear the case could make the divisive debate over guns an issue in the 2008 presidential and congressional elections.

The government of Washington, D.C., is asking the court to uphold its 31-year ban on handgun ownership in the face of a federal appeals court ruling that struck down the ban as incompatible with the Second Amendment. Tuesday's announcement was widely expected, especially after both the District and the man who challenged the handgun ban asked for the high court review.

The main issue before the justices is whether the Second Amendment of the Constitution protects an individual's right to own guns or instead merely sets forth the collective right of states to maintain militias. The former interpretation would permit fewer restrictions on gun ownership.

If the intent of the gun ban to was reduce violence in D.C., it's been a dismal failure. All it has done is ensure an unarmed populace full of potential victims for the lowlifes. The murder rate there is ridiculous.

Should the Supremes interpret the 2nd Amendment as I believe it was intended by the Founders, the D.C. handgun ban will be struck down along with many similar bans around the country. A decision on this issue right before the election could add an interesting element to the campaign.