Thank you for writing to me regarding gun control.
In June 2008 the Supreme Court decided the case of District of Columbia v. Heller. The Court analyzed the meaning of the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which states: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." The Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual rather than a collective right to possess a firearm. The Court also held that this Second Amendment right is not unlimited, and it is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner for any purpose. The Court struck down as unconstitutional the District of Columbia's handgun ban and trigger-lock requirement, holding that the ban was too broad and violates an individual's right of self-defense in the home.
The impact of this complicated 64-page decision is still not clear, as the District of Columbia has a unique legal status and had one of the most restrictive gun control laws in the country. I support the right of law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms, under reasonable, common-sense regulations.
Over the next year the Maryland General Assembly and localities in Maryland will weigh what changes in law they need to make, if any, to comply with the Court's decision. Further lawsuits are likely, citing Heller, to challenge certain local and state gun control ordinances and laws.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to do so again.
In June 2008 the Supreme Court decided the case of District of Columbia v. Heller. The Court analyzed the meaning of the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which states: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." The Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual rather than a collective right to possess a firearm. The Court also held that this Second Amendment right is not unlimited, and it is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner for any purpose. The Court struck down as unconstitutional the District of Columbia's handgun ban and trigger-lock requirement, holding that the ban was too broad and violates an individual's right of self-defense in the home.
The impact of this complicated 64-page decision is still not clear, as the District of Columbia has a unique legal status and had one of the most restrictive gun control laws in the country. I support the right of law-abiding citizens to own and use firearms, under reasonable, common-sense regulations.
Over the next year the Maryland General Assembly and localities in Maryland will weigh what changes in law they need to make, if any, to comply with the Court's decision. Further lawsuits are likely, citing Heller, to challenge certain local and state gun control ordinances and laws.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to do so again.