Politics

The right to own and carry a firearm is one of the most contentious in this nation, a battleground visited as often as that of free speech, abortion and the separation of church and state.

“˜Keeping’ Arms

Your right to keep (own) a firearm is enshrined in the Second Amendment of U.S. Constitution, which states that, “[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][A] well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

This brief passage was most recently challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010, in McDonald v. Chicago, where gun owners argued the city’s ban on handgun ownership violated the Second Amendment. Gun owners prevailed, with the Court citing its favorable ruling two years prior in Heller v. District of Columbia ““ that owning a handgun is a fundamental right protected by Due Process that cannot be infringed upon by the States.

Now, what about the right to carry them around?