Brady Campaign Statement On Arguments In U. S. Supreme Court Gun Case

Mar 2, 2010

Washington, DC – Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, observed the oral argument today in the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago at the U.S. Supreme Court, and issued the following statement:

"In the two years since the Heller decision, courts throughout the country have rejected the arguments of gun criminals and the gun lobby that the Second Amendment enshrines their 'any gun, anywhere, any time' agenda.

"Today's arguments seemed to indicate a consensus around the Court's strong language in the Heller decision that reasonable restrictions on gun ownership are 'presumptively lawful.'

"Either way the Court decides the 'incorporation' issue, the Second Amendment continues to allow Americans to have the strong, common sense gun laws they want and need to help protect our communities.  The Supreme Court should maintain the limitations it set out in the Heller decision and defer to the judgments of our elected officials in protecting the public from gun violence."

The Brady Center filed a brief amicus curiae in the McDonald case, available at http://www.bradycenter.org/xshare/final_brief.pdf.

###

As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.

For continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at www.bradycampaign.org/blog/. Visit the Brady Campaign website at www.bradycampaign.org.