The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Politics & RKBA => Topic started by: 1776 Rebel on January 06, 2009, 05:14:14 PM

Title: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: 1776 Rebel on January 06, 2009, 05:14:14 PM
I just came across this article on the Huffington Post (excuse me while I vomit). While I don't like his tone I would like to understand if he is right in the overall point. After Heller we are no further in the courts than before?

To date, the lower federal courts have ruled in over 60 different cases on the constitutionality of a wide variety of gun control laws. There have been suits against laws banning possession of firearms by felons, drug addicts, illegal aliens, and individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors. The courts have ruled on the constitutionality of laws prohibiting particular types of weapons, including sawed-off shotguns and machine guns, and specific weapons attachments. Defendants have challenged laws barring guns in school zones and post offices, and laws outlawing "straw" purchases, the carrying of concealed weapons, possession of an unregistered firearm, and particular types of ammunition. The courts have upheld every one of these laws.

Since Heller, its Gun Control: 60, Individual Right: 0.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-winkler/the-new-second-amendment_b_154783.html
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: CurrieS103 on January 06, 2009, 05:41:16 PM
This just a test-the-waters and warm up for what's to come.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: pioneer on January 07, 2009, 11:11:36 AM
Heller v. D.C., by design had a very narrow focus.  Is the 2nd Amendment an individual right, or not?  As we all know, the SS ruled (barely) that it is indeed an individual right.  The attorneys for Heller did not wish to bring in all of the other issues, in order to avoid muddying the waters.  There is a very good argument being made that if other issues, such as possession of machine guns, etc., was brought in, Heller would have gone down in flames. 

Now that it is established in law on the federal level, that gun ownership is an individual right, the other cases will work themselves up in the system.  With Heller as a precedent, and with the current makeup of the court, we have about a 50/50 chance on any of the other issues.  Some we will win, some we will lose.  that's how it works.  My fear is that Obama will nominate and the Democrat congress will rubber-stamp, liberal, anti-freedom judges.  When (not if) that happens, the odds will most certainly turn against us.

It's going to be a tough, long, expensive fight.  If you are a gun owner and not a member of the NRA, shame on you, and we are tired of pulling your weight.  Even thought you don't like the NRA, they are the big kid on our block and a lobbyist that many congressmen and senators pay attention to.  I don't always agree with NRA, but then I don't always agree with my wife either.  It's coming down to crunch time and it is no time for gun owners to be divided.  We need to unite in order to have the clout and the money to put up a fight.  Bickering between NRA and GOA must stop, or we all lose.  It's that simple. 

 
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: ericire12 on January 07, 2009, 11:40:03 AM
Bingo! Obama will take away our guns and other freedoms through activist judges. He said it himself that he does not have the votes in congress to take away guns, even if he wanted to. He is a long time believer and participant in the practice of legislating guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens.

As the old saying goes.... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: Fatman on January 07, 2009, 12:10:20 PM
Heller v. D.C., by design had a very narrow focus.  Is the 2nd Amendment an individual right, or not?  As we all know, the SS ruled (barely) that it is indeed an individual right.  The attorneys for Heller did not wish to bring in all of the other issues, in order to avoid muddying the waters.  There is a very good argument being made that if other issues, such as possession of machine guns, etc., was brought in, Heller would have gone down in flames. 

Now that it is established in law on the federal level, that gun ownership is an individual right, the other cases will work themselves up in the system.  With Heller as a precedent, and with the current makeup of the court, we have about a 50/50 chance on any of the other issues.  Some we will win, some we will lose.  that's how it works.  My fear is that Obama will nominate and the Democrat congress will rubber-stamp, liberal, anti-freedom judges.  When (not if) that happens, the odds will most certainly turn against us.

It's going to be a tough, long, expensive fight.  If you are a gun owner and not a member of the NRA, shame on you, and we are tired of pulling your weight.  Even thought you don't like the NRA, they are the big kid on our block and a lobbyist that many congressmen and senators pay attention to.  I don't always agree with NRA, but then I don't always agree with my wife either.  It's coming down to crunch time and it is no time for gun owners to be divided.  We need to unite in order to have the clout and the money to put up a fight.  Bickering between NRA and GOA must stop, or we all lose.  It's that simple. 

 

Fortunately for us, the justices most likely to be replaced are all liberal anyway.  And there is the chance someone he appoints turns out to be a reverse Souter.  Always think happy thoughts.  ;D
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: 1776 Rebel on January 07, 2009, 12:17:33 PM
Don't focus solely on the US Supreme Court and its 9 folks. Not every case rises to and is ACCEPTED by SCOTUS. Nor are all the defendants able to afford appeals. That is why the 600 some odd Federal judges are so important. The President makes dozens of those appts also. 
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: PegLeg45 on January 07, 2009, 01:36:59 PM
Heller v. D.C., by design had a very narrow focus.  Is the 2nd Amendment an individual right, or not?  As we all know, the SS ruled (barely) that it is indeed an individual right.  The attorneys for Heller did not wish to bring in all of the other issues, in order to avoid muddying the waters.  There is a very good argument being made that if other issues, such as possession of machine guns, etc., was brought in, Heller would have gone down in flames. 

Now that it is established in law on the federal level, that gun ownership is an individual right, the other cases will work themselves up in the system.  With Heller as a precedent, and with the current makeup of the court, we have about a 50/50 chance on any of the other issues.  Some we will win, some we will lose.  that's how it works.  My fear is that Obama will nominate and the Democrat congress will rubber-stamp, liberal, anti-freedom judges.  When (not if) that happens, the odds will most certainly turn against us.

It's going to be a tough, long, expensive fight.  If you are a gun owner and not a member of the NRA, shame on you, and we are tired of pulling your weight.  Even thought you don't like the NRA, they are the big kid on our block and a lobbyist that many congressmen and senators pay attention to.  I don't always agree with NRA, but then I don't always agree with my wife either.  It's coming down to crunch time and it is no time for gun owners to be divided.  We need to unite in order to have the clout and the money to put up a fight.  Bickering between NRA and GOA must stop, or we all lose.  It's that simple. 

 

Well said.
Even if you don't go along 100% with the NRA, it is still at the forefront of the main battle. With the collective dollars of members, they can afford to fight the fight we can't fight alone.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: tt11758 on January 07, 2009, 04:29:25 PM
Well said.
Even if you don't go along 100% with the NRA, it is still at the forefront of the main battle. With the collective dollars of members, they can afford to fight the fight we can't fight alone.

In other words, if we don't hang together, we shall surely all hang seperately.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: MikeBjerum on January 08, 2009, 11:59:41 AM
Well said.
Even if you don't go along 100% with the NRA, it is still at the forefront of the main battle. With the collective dollars of members, they can afford to fight the fight we can't fight alone.

Of gunowners, shooters and hunters that I know that are anti-NRA the number one thing I hear is the NRA's lack of flexibility and negotiation.  I hear that the NRA is a take it or leave it no give group.  It sounds harsh, but that is what I want from a group that is fighting to protect our Rights and to restore Rights that have been taken away or restricted. 

What type of stance do you think the opponents take?  The anti's do a very good job of saying all they want is "reasonable and common sense" items.  By positioning themselves with words like this it makes us look unreasonable and lacking in common sense when we fight them.

If I had to agree 100% with everyone I was associated with I would be leading a lonely life, and I wouldn't have a wife or kids either.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: TAB on January 08, 2009, 12:38:08 PM
In other words, if we don't hang together, we shall surely all hang seperately.


i'd rather hang then help the NRA.

The NRA is no friend of gun owners.  Just look at thier record on class 3 weapons.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: PegLeg45 on January 08, 2009, 03:34:52 PM

i'd rather hang then help the NRA.

The NRA is no friend of gun owners.  Just look at thier record on class 3 weapons.

Well, there's a lot more folks running around out there with ropes these days.
You may just get your 'rathers'...sooner than later too.


Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: TAB on January 08, 2009, 05:45:37 PM
Well, there's a lot more folks running around out there with ropes these days.
You may just get your 'rathers'...sooner than later too.





You want to know why I really don't like the NRA...Its becuase they have never done a damn thing in CA.   All they do is take our cash and say "sorry, but we can't help you, thanks for your donation"


Yes there are other things they do I don't like, but thats the big one.

I have no doubt that if you looked at the numbers of NRA memberships by state, CA would be in the top 5 in sheer numbers.

There are more gun owners in CA then many states have population.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 09, 2009, 01:47:40 AM

You want to know why I really don't like the NRA...Its becuase they have never done a damn thing in CA.   All they do is take our cash and say "sorry, but we can't help you, thanks for your donation"


Yes there are other things they do I don't like, but thats the big one.

I have no doubt that if you looked at the numbers of NRA memberships by state, CA would be in the top 5 in sheer numbers.

There are more gun owners in CA then many states have population.

Gangbangers and illegal aliens don't count.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: TAB on January 09, 2009, 01:51:23 AM
do you know how long its been since I've seen a gang banger that was not an illegal alien or the kid of one?
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 09, 2009, 01:56:44 AM
do you know how long its been since I've seen a gang banger that was not an illegal alien or the kid of one?

I know what you mean, I just could not resist the shot. I'll delete it if you like, I just wanted to zing you.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: TAB on January 09, 2009, 02:06:24 AM
no, no its fine... one good thing about the econ being in the crapper is you don't see any more mexicans on job sites. 

Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 09, 2009, 02:13:04 AM
no, no its fine... one good thing about the econ being in the crapper is you don't see any more mexicans on job sites. 



I would have thought they would be fighting over the jobs. But the are probably going back to TJ to work for the cartels where the REAL money is  :(
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: TAB on January 09, 2009, 02:29:58 AM
its not just illegals, almost/ all of the nonskilled/ semi skilled labor is gone. 

I'm having atleast 5 guys a week coming up asking me for a job.   I just don't have the work, Infact if it was not for the property maintenance biz, I would have had to let every one go.   Repair work has gone away( other then the has to be done right now stuff) so has the major remodels.    Oddly so has the small stuff( less then 500), yet the 3-5k stuff is still going strong.

Strange times for sure.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 09, 2009, 02:33:23 AM
Maybe the people who aren't worried think 3 - 5 K IS small stuff. People are worried about the economy, and that we are hijacking the thread.  ;D
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: PegLeg45 on January 10, 2009, 09:45:53 AM
Maybe the people who aren't worried think 3 - 5 K IS small stuff. People are worried about the economy, and that we are hijacking the thread.  ;D

Hi-Jack, shmy-jack....I like watching you two poke each other with sharp sticks from time to time... ;D
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 10, 2009, 01:18:27 PM
Hi-Jack, shmy-jack....I like watching you two poke each other with sharp sticks from time to time... ;D


;D  LOL
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: MikeO on January 16, 2009, 12:05:19 PM
Yep, "we" are 0 for 60, and it's gonna get worse before it gets better.

Pre Heller, most of the lower courts were on record as opposing the individual rights position Heller took, and they still are. For example, a federal judge in the 7th Circuit Court just upheld Chicago's handgun ban. Most of 'em are gonna take the position that Heller applies to DC and the feds, not anybody else (cities, counties, and states).

This is gonna happen over and over again while all the issues Heller did not adress and/or was ambiguous on work there way back to the SCOTUS for incorporation and/or clarification.
Title: Re: Where do we stand after Heller?
Post by: tombogan03884 on January 16, 2009, 01:59:48 PM
In the shot show video MB interviews Dick Heller and HE seems to have half a dozen additional suits either in the courts or in the works. Plus the SAF suit against Chicago, and SF just settled with the NRA and CCRKBA about legal guns in public housing, most likely because SF knew that they would lose with the current SCOTUS members.