Projo Politics Blog

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy said he is "disappointed" the U.S. Supreme Court today overturned a handgun ban in the District of Columbia.

In a statement, Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat, said he belives the nation's capital "will be less safe as a result of this decision. However, in a larger sense it is my hope that this ruling will finally put to rest the largely extraneous ideological battles that have long dominated discussion on responsible possession of firearms.”

With the Supreme Court ruling the Second Amendment "protects an individual right to bear arms," Kennedy said, "that being settled, we can focus on crafting responsible strategies to reduce gun violence within the guidelines described by the majority in today’s decision."

Kennedy said steps that should be taken is to provide the police with full access to gun trace data and to hold accountable dealers of illegal guns.

“After decades of fear mongering, the gun lobby can no longer argue that reasonable restrictions on firearms are a violation of the 2nd Amendment rights of Americans," Kennedy said. "In Congress, I will continue to advocate for a sensible gun policy that balances the right to bear arms with the need to enhance our nation’s public safety."

Kennedy's uncles, the late President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy, were both slain by assassin's bullets.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Comments

Ginja said:

Kennedy's response is typical of left wing liberals who work diligently day in and day out trying to TAKE AWAY our constitutional rights and privileges! Big government, high taxes, and universal control over what we do! Big Brother is here watching every move we make, looking for ways to infringe and take away. Wake up and smell the coffee folks, while you still can.

Link | June 27, 2008 10:09 AM
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