| On June 28, 2010, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 | | | | age of 21. |
| that citizens everywhere have a right to keep firearms | | | | ~ Mandatory gun registration (like auto tags). |
| in their homes for self-protection. The basis for the | | | | ~ Individual gun permits (like driver's licenses). |
| decision was that under the 14th Amendment to the U. | | | | ~ Mandatory safety training. |
| S. Constitution, states, cities and other localities may not | | | | ~ Close the gun show "loophole." |
| abridge gun "rights" that were accorded to residents of | | | | ~ Mandatory liability insurance for persons with guns. |
| the District of Columbia by the High Court two years | | | | ~ No brandishing of guns in public. |
| ago. | | | | ~ Gun storage lockers if there are small children in the |
| Members of the National Rifle Association and other | | | | home. |
| gun advocacy groups immediately hailed the Court | | | | ~ "Absolute liability" on the part of gun owners. |
| decision as a vindication of their "rights" under the 2nd | | | | All of these restrictions will pass constitutional muster, |
| Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. Their enthusiasm | | | | and there is nothing the NRA can do about it. The one |
| may be premature, however. Here's why: | | | | restriction that will have the greatest effect in reducing |
| 1. The High Court stated that local governments can | | | | gun violence will be absolute liability. That means that |
| still pass "reasonable" regulations that pertain to the | | | | the gun owner will be liable for monetary damages if |
| ownership, storage, transport and use of firearms. | | | | ANYONE is hurt by the firearm. For example, if a |
| 2. Individuals and advocacy groups that seek to | | | | teenager is playing with dad's gun and accidentally |
| reduce the level of gun violence in the society can still | | | | shoots a friend, the dad will liable in civil court. He |
| lobby for the following ten restrictions on firearms: | | | | cannot escape liability by saying his teenager took the |
| ~ A general ban on assault weapons of all types. | | | | gun without permission. |
| ~ No firearms for non-citizens or citizens under the | | | | |