Column
from U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
Victory for Gun Owners
July 18, 2008
Gun ownership and hunting
are an important part of Wisconsin’s rich culture and history.
Wisconsinites across our state share a strong commitment to protecting
the rights of the millions of Americans who safely own firearms for
sport and self-protection.
Throughout my career in public
service, both in the Wisconsin State Senate and the U.S. Senate, I have
believed that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to
bear arms. As a State Senator, I was the lead cosponsor of a state constitutional
amendment to establish the right to bear arms in Wisconsin. In Congress,
I have opposed measures that seek to unreasonably limit this right,
including gun licensing requirements and handgun bans.
That is why I was pleased
by the recent Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment grants
an individual right to own and possess firearms, regardless of whether
the owner belongs to a militia, and to use that firearm in any legal
manner. This decision struck down as unconstitutional the Washington,
D.C. law prohibiting the sale or possession of handguns and semiautomatic
weapons and limiting the possession of certain types of gun ammunition.
The Supreme Court also recognized
that some gun-related restrictions are reasonable and will be upheld.
I believe it will be possible, following the Supreme Court’s decision,
to pursue a moderate course that is faithful to the Constitution and
to the realities of modern society. The decision should not prevent
common-sense measures, such as ensuring that child safety locks are
sold with every handgun, that do not infringe on gun-owners’ rights.
This decision will be remembered
as a major victory for our nation’s law-abiding gun owners. My
hope is that now that the Court has made clear that there is an individual
right to bear arms, the two sides of the debate will end divisive and
unproductive political fights and focus on crafting laws to address
gun violence while showing the proper respect for our citizens' constitutional
rights.
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