GREGG PRAISES SUPREME COURT RULLING ON D.C. GUN LAW, CALLS DECISION A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR FIREARM RIGHTS

Thursday, June 26, 2008                                             Contact: Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

GREGG PRAISES SUPREME COURT RULLING ON D.C. GUN LAW, CALLS DECISION A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR FIREARM RIGHTS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today made the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling which struck down the District of Columbia’s handgun ban and trigger lock requirement, affirming the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms for lawful purposes.

Senator Gregg stated, “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is a historic moment for those, including myself, who believe that Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms for lawful purposes, including self-defense.  For the first time in our nation’s history, the Court has ruled on whether the Second Amendment enshrines such an individual right.  It strikes down the District of Columbia’s strict handgun ban and trigger lock requirement, which doesn’t allow the city’s residents from even keeping a handgun in the house to protect themselves and their loved ones.  To me, the existence of this constitutional right has been obvious, and I was pleased to sign a brief to the Court on this case and argue that the D.C. handgun law be struck down. 

“Self-defense in one’s own home should not be privilege for some, but a right for law-abiding citizens.  I applaud the Court’s ruling and hope that it brings some common sense to our gun policies going forward.”