A round-up of various reactions to the historic Supreme Court case, McDonald vs. City of Chicago, that extended gun owner rights across the country.
“The Supreme Court’s decision today that every American has Second Amendment rights is a triumph for common sense, our Constitution, and the proper role of the Supreme Court in our Republic. It should remind us that the job of the Supreme Court is enforcing and protecting our rights and the clear meaning of our Constitution – not inventing new ways to advance liberal public policy goals by legislating from the bench and straining to discern previously undiscovered partisan advantage in the ‘penumbras’ of our laws.” – House GOP Leader John Boehner (R-OH)
“I support the Court’s decision and believe that today’s opinion strengthens the protections of our Bill of Rights. Although state and local governments will now have to proceed more carefully when enacting firearms regulations, it will be in respect of a right that belongs to all Americans. ” – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
“The Supreme Court once again sent a clear message to local, state, and federal governments: the individual right to keep and bear arms applies to all law abiding Americans, regardless of where they live.” – Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)
“Today, we ensured that law-abiding folks have the same Second Amendment rights no matter where in America they live. This decision is a major victory for America’s gun owners & I’ll keep fighting hard to protect our gun rights.” – Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
“Today’s decision reflects what the Supreme Court and the legal system is supposed to be all about: strictly interpreting the words of the Constitution, not bending them or deviating them for ideological or political ends.” – House GOP Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA)
“This decision is a victory for the Second Amendment, but as a 5 to 4 ruling among the justices it also sends a warning. The Supreme Court is closely divided and at least four of its members would not extend a basic constitutional right to all fifty states.” – Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN)
“I am pleased that the Supreme Court has held that the Second Amendment applies equally to the states. Although not unexpected, the ruling is welcome confirmation that the right to bear arms is a fundamental right enjoyed by all Americans that cannot be infringed by the federal or state governments.” – Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)
“The Supreme Court handed down an important ruling today stating what should be obvious: that the Second Amendment, in the words of Justice Alito writing for the court, “applies equally to the federal government and the states.” Today’s decision in McDonald vs. City of Chicago, in conjunction with the landmark Heller case two years ago, should leave little doubt that our individual right to keep and bear arms applies everywhere and is a right for everyone.” – Former Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK)