Do you have a legal right to own a gun?

[beevul]

"Do you have a legal right to own a gun?

By Joan Biskupic, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Guns, and questions about how much power the government has to keep people from owning them, are at the core of one of the most divisive topics in American politics.

Nowhere is that divide more pronounced than in the gap between Americans' beliefs about their rights under the Second Amendment, and how courts have interpreted the law.

Nearly three out of four Americans — 73% — believe the Second Amendment spells out an individual right to own a firearm, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 1,016 adults taken Feb. 8-10.

Yet for decades, federal judges have seen the Constitution differently, allowing a range of gun-control measures imposed by governments seeking to curb gun violence.

(From farther down in the article)

That has changed somewhat. The Democratic and GOP candidates for president have differences on gun control, but Democrats are trying to appeal to those on each side of the debate. That's likely a reflection of Democratic leaders' attempts to move their party's stance on guns closer to that of most voters.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-02-26-guns-cover_N.htm

An interesting read, and with suprisingly limited bias.

"Nearly 3 out of four Americans"...and "Democratic leaders' attempts to move their party's stance on guns closer to that of most voters" has got to be a real downer for the Republicans over at Brady, and thier supporters.

[east texas lib]

1. Well, legally I guess we'll find out when the Supremes rule...

Personally, I believe that you do. But I freely admit that I am biased in favor of
my family's and my own continued existence.

[Turbo Teg]

2. Yes I do.

I feel it's spelled out pretty clearly in the constitution, although a lot of people will try to tell you it's not and try to dance around it with the whole national guard arguement. I feel it's stupid that any one will think it pertains to the national guard when part of our 2A right is having the ability to over through a tyranical government, so why would the only people who would be able to have guns be part of the Government? Doesn't make sense, especially when the guard was created over 100 years later.

[L1A1Rocker]

3. Absolutely!

[jmg257]

4. Of course. Thank God the Congress agreed too, and recently passed law re-iterating the fact.

[jmg257]

5. The people are getting smarter - a majority believe in less strict gun control.

"Support for gun control dropping
Public support for stricter gun laws has been declining since the 1990s, according to the Gallup Poll. In January 2007, the number of people who supported stricter gun laws was at 49 percent, less than a majority for the first time since at least 1990."


Recent polls by Zogby confirm this welcome trend.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ — A recent Zogby International poll question conducted for Associated Television News found that 66% of the American voting public in a recent poll of 1,020 Americans from August 8-11, 2007 (margin of error of +/- 3.1%) found that the American public rejects the notion that new gun control laws are needed.

The poll asked: “Which of the following two statements regarding gun control comes closer to your own opinion?

Statement A: There needs to be new and tougher gun control legislation to help in the fight against gun crime.

Statement B: There are enough laws on the books. What is needed is better enforcement of current laws regarding gun control.


Conversely, only 31% of the American public think new and tougher gun control legislation are needed.

[jody]

6. Hillary and BO have anti-RKBA histories and that will haunt them in the GE. The poll is interesting

but sadly DU's gun-grabber minority continue to ignore the will of We the People and demand bans of handguns and a few want bans on all guns.

With supporters like them, the Democratic Party may well lose another presidential election.

[registerdem]

7. pro choice

As abortions, if you don't like them...don't have one. But don't let anyone take the right away! Same goes for guns!

[jody]

8. Sounds good to me.

:thumbsup: :toast:

[ak]

9. me too

what you do with your body is your business

what I keep in my house/safe/car is my business