Lock-n-Load: Parker v. D.C. Goes to the Supreme Court

Well, friends & neighbors, we're one step closer to finding out if the highest court in the land believes the Second Amendment means what it says:

Local government officials in Washington, D.C., announced Monday they will appeal to the Supreme Court in a major test case on the meaning of the Second Amendment. The key issue in the coming petition will be whether the Amendment protects an individual right to have guns in one's home -- an issue on which there is now a clear conflict among federal Circuit Courts. The city will be defending the constitutionality of a local handgun control law that is regarded as the strictest in the nation.

The petition would have been due Aug. 7, but city officials said Monday that they would ask Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., for a 30-day extension of time to file the case. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and city Attorney General Linda Singer disclosed the appeal plan at a press conference, along with local Police Chief Cathy Lanier. (A news release announcing the action can be found here ) The Mayor said: "We have made the determination that this law can and should be defended and we are willing to take our case to the highest court in the land to protect the city's residents. Our handgun law has saved countless lives -- keeping guns out of the hands of those who would hurt others or themselves.

Personally, I think Mayor Adrian M. Fenty should be tarred, feathered and ridden out of town on a rail, as do all the elected officials who share his viewpoint. I can't even think of proper words to express my utter contempt and disgust for him and his elitist ilk.
That aside, it's gonna be quite interesting to see what happens. Will the conservative bloc on the court be enough to save the individual-rights viewpoint? Lots of people are scared, and I can't say I completely blame them, but it's long past time the record be set straight. And with the way things are going on other fronts in this country, I'd have to say now's probably the best time to go for the gold. I don't know what the chances are of getting any more conservative justices appointed to the court any time soon; it may well be years before we get another one. And it's long past time to stop this pussyfooting around. I don't know if a negative outcome is going to lead to "pressing the reset button," but something has to change. We have to go for it now. Buckle up, it might be a bumpy ride...