Mar 27 2008

Thursday morning Constitutional odds and ends

Posted by Neocon in 2nd Amendment, Domestic, History

Two items worthy of note on the Constitutional scene this morning.

Another poll comes out reinforcing the fact that many, many Americans (more than a majority) see the right to bear Arms as an individual right.

A solid majority of the U.S. public, 73%, believes the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to own guns. Twenty percent believe the amendment only guarantees the rights of state militia members to own guns.

Another interesting tidbit from the poll is that gunowners make up roughly a third of the American population. I would’ve thought the number to be higher; I guess I need to open a gun shop.

I think the poll also illustrates that Americans still remain ignorant on what gun laws actually exist today (i.e., believing the term ‘assault weapon’ isn’t arbitrary) because almost half would like to see tougher laws. 38% would like to see the laws remain where they are. Just 11% of you right-wing wackos out there want fewer restrictions than we currently have. I’m satisfied with the basic restrictions we have currently, but I would like to see more universally recognized concealed and carry laws in all 50 states.

Update: Hot Air picks it up. Allahpundit is also disturbed by some of the percentages regarding specificity of gun bans/regulation. I still think it stems from ignorance on the definitions. Allah’s example of support for a national ban on semi-automatic handguns smacks of people having it implied to them that the gun is automatic if you read the question.

“Semi-automatic handguns, which automatically re-load every time the trigger is pulled”

Sorry, but I think we give the public too much credit to recognize just what it is.

Michelle Malkin brings word that that “no right to home schooling” case out in CA will be reconsidered, which is definitely good news.

A state appeals court will reconsider last month’s controversial decision that said parents who home-school their children must have a teaching credential.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles granted a rehearing Tuesday, essentially voiding the 3-0 decision until it rules again. The decision will now allow home-schooling organizations that had blasted the decision to weigh in.

“Wow!” said Diane Flynn Keith of Redwood City, who edits Homefires, an online home-schooling journal. “I think the judge recognized that he hadn’t done his homework.”

I would imagine that it also has something to do with the national backlash against the ruling. I trust parents more than anyone else to educate their children, especially if they are dedicated enough to put in the hours homeschooling.

More reaction at Stop the ACLU & the Radio Patriot.