This, in my comment here in response to .45Superman’s article detailing the first few pebbles in the post-Heller avalanche:
I’m struck, near paralyzed, by the thought that a one vote switch would have resulted in just as much activism — in the other direction.
All these politicians now fighting increasingly shrill and desperate rearguard actions would this minute be triumphantly proposing licensing and registration laws preparatory to a ban.
That was a very narrow miss, indeed.
I’m looking for the exact quote, but apparently Rush Limbaugh said something to the effect that the Supremes came within a single vote of amending the Second Amendment out of the Constitution.
I am not remotely the only one making this point, but I want the quotes where I can find them:
THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added
– The Founders, Preamble to the Bill of Rights
The majority would have us believe that over 200 years ago, the Framers made a choice to limit the tools available to elected officials wishing to regulate civilian uses of weapons.
– Ass Justice Stevens, dissent from Heller.
[Yes, I know there's supposed to be a period in there somewhere indicating the abbreviation for the word "associate". Fuck Stevens right in his period with a red hot wood rasp. -- djm]
Or, as Anarchangel put it, somewhat more genteelly:
YES, that is EXACTLY what the framers did; that is in fact the entire purpose of the second amendment, and the bill of rights as a whole; and anyone who in any way does not understand that has no business being a citizen of this country, never mind being a supreme court justice.
Stevens is either a liar, a fool, or disingenuously dissembling to make a fundamental right into nothing more than a hindrance to government… which is by far the worst interpretation of his actions, and unfortunately I think the correct one. It makes him both craven, and a clear enemy of the core principles of liberty and limited government.
… but 30% of the population agrees with him.
… and that frightens me.
Uh huh.
Damn, my chin is going to itch for a month from this shave….
Tags: Armed and Safe, Heller, Justice Stevens, Washington D.C. v. Heller