Statement of Brady President on Court Upholding Gun Law

Jul 13, 2010

Washington, D.C. - Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement about today’s 10-1 decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, sitting en banc, upholding the conviction of a repeat domestic violence offender, Steven Skoien, for illegally possessing a firearm even though he had been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor. 

“Today's decision that the Second Amendment does not give domestic violence offenders a right to possess guns is reassuring, but it should not be surprising.  Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that the Second Amendment allows a wide array of reasonable gun laws, and the lower courts have consistently rejected arguments by the gun lobby and gun criminals that the Constitution mandates their ‘any gun, anywhere’ agenda.  Our political leaders need to stop using the Second Amendment as an excuse for inaction and start making it harder for dangerous people to obtain guns.”
 
The Court agreed with an amicus brief filed by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and rejected Skoien's argument that the "Lautenberg Amendment" barring domestic violence offenders from possessing guns violates the Second Amendment. The Court reversed a panel decision of the Court that had vacated Skoien's conviction.

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The Brady Campaign is the nation's largest citizens' lobby to prevent gun violence. We represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans who are tired of living with the constant tragedy of gun violence and are in favor of strong laws and policies that will save lives. We are the light that exposes politicians who are putting the American people at risk, empowering the American people to hold them accountable for decisions and actions that undermine public safety.

We are driven by the focused vision of a nation where all Americans are safe at home, at work, at school, and in our communities.

Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.

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