Update: Republicans praise Court gun decision

New Hampshire congressional candidates are praising the U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing individuals the right to own handguns.

The ruling also provided one candidate with an opportunity to criticize two of his rivals.

"While Jennifer Horn supported more gun control laws, and Bob Clegg has sponsored a bill to regulate local gun ranges, I have been a steadfast supporter of the Second Amendment," Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro) said in a press release.

Bosse is competing in the 2nd Congressional District against Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua), state Sen. Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) and Jim Steiner (R-Concord).

"The Supreme Court got it right today.  The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental American right," Horn said in a statement.  "The Second Amendment guarantees that an individual has the right to own a gun and I applaud the Supreme Court for ruling in favor of gun owners."

"The Second Amendment in the Constitution made it very clear, and today the Supreme Court acknowledged its clarity, in confirming the rights of an individual to own and carry a gun," Clegg said. "I believe and have always believed in the Second Amendment and am proud that the Supreme Court looked at the document and verified its true intent."

The landmark District of Columbia v. Heller case was announced today in Washington.

"This is an outstanding ruling by the Supreme Court to protect the rights of gun owners as a fundamental Constitutional matter," 1st Congressional District candidate John Stephen (R-Manchester) said.

"I am thrilled that the Court protected the right of the law abiding Americans to keep and bear arms," former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfboro) said. "However, the fact that it was a narrow five to four decision means that Americans must be vigilant to protect their 2nd Amendment Constitutional rights.

"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," U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-Rye) said in a press release.

Update: “Our country’s founders understood that in granting powers to the federal government, essential rights and freedoms for the individual must be unequivocally protected. This Supreme Court decision recognizes the clear right of individuals to bear arms in protection of their family and property," U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) said.

“We join freedom-loving people everywhere in welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision this morning striking down the D.C. gun ban. With Barack Obama visiting New Hampshire tomorrow, I wonder how he will explain his support for this unconstitutional ban," New Hampshire Republican Chairman Fergus Cullen said.

Update 2: "Grant Bosse did what so many candidates make the mistake of doing; use quick rhetoric to try to grab some spotlight on the hot topic of the day, without knowing the facts or history of it," Clegg responded in a statement. "The legislation he is referring to in his criticism of me, was created to protect the Lone Pine Hunters Firing Range in Hollis.  It is unfortunate that the bill, which I sponsored and passed, was turned over by a court. My record on the defense of the 2nd Amendment is strong and clear."

Regarding the Court ruling Jim Steiner said, "the Second Amendment is properly interpreted to provide the right intended by the framers of the Constitution for citizens to be free to own and possess weapons and to keep them in our homes, i.e. 'the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.'