Top News

  We asked if you agree with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that Americans may own guns for hunting and protection. Here are your responses.


I find it disturbing that this has even been in question. There is no such thing as a collective right, or states' rights, or the concept that government has any rights at all. The Constitution never refers to, and never conveys rights to, any part of government at any level. Government entities are either prevented from exercising power, or that power is specifically delegated to it. - All rights are individual in nature. - People (individuals) have Rights, Power, and Authority. - People delegate some of their power and authority to government so it may function. - Rights, like responsibility, cannot be delegated Today is a good day for freedom and liberty. --FreedomAndLiberty

It's about time the US Supreme Court rendered this decision. The rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms for legitimate and lawful activities such as self defense and hunting has been trampled over and over. Keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals does not mean disarming the populace as a whole. I wholeheartedly support the decision. --Steven

Yes I do agree as it is a right given to us by the Constitution. Why should criminals have the access to weapons as they do and yet our precious government refuses to allow 'good' citizens the right to defend ourselves. As in my home state of Wisconsin, which is one of only 4 states that refuses to allow concealed carry permits, this is a great victory for 'honest' citizen. I applaud the US Supreme court on this matter! --William Rank

I agree and it frightens me that there were 4 judges disagreeing. Banning guns insures that only the criminals have guns and law abiding citizens don't. Chicago is a perfect example. Mayor Daley has a gun law and officers get shot by criminals. Yes, this would be correct. --Byron Allen

I agree with the Supreme Court, we are Americans and the 2nd Amendment applies to all! NOT just a chosen few. --Stephen Kelly

I absolutely agree. Banning the right to ownership of a rifle or handgun was just one more step in criminalizing otherwise decent and law abiding citizens. Illinois and Chicago, in particular, seem to work overtime in finding ways to make everyone a law-breaker. Whether to generate revenue or to keep residents under government's thumb, this ruling is great first step in keeping Americans safe not only from criminals, but government as well. The ruling meant nothing to criminals, but everything to decent men and women across the country. --Michael Borgert

Absolutely! --Blonde

Yes, I agree--our Creator endowed us with the right to self-defense, and this ruling, along with the Constitution, simply affirms this right. --Rick Fortenberry

I agree with the Court's decision. Its in the Bill of Rights for crying out loud. Why is it the 1st and 4th Amendment apply to individuals yet some want to think the 2nd doesn't? --Josh

I agree 100% with the decision, but find it appalling that 4 Justices voted the other way. --Gilbert M. Erskine

Fantastic ruling. This is why we need more Constitutional judges who interpret the constitution instead of legislating from the bench. Individual gun rights may seem offensive to the left, but individual rights arguments cut both ways. Look at it this way, next time there are armed robberies in your neighborhood, the gun owners are going to be thinning the herd of low lifes legally, so they can only prey on the unarmed lefties --Lost City Ranch

I believe the USSC did the right thing. While many people like a court legislating policy (Roe Vs Wade) etc, they won't like it with a conservative court. Please note the breakdown of the ruling! 5-4 on ideological lines. Liberals traditionally support the suppression of rights (Freedom of Speech = "Fairness Doctrine" --- Freedom of Religion = Saying GOD anywhere --- Right to Bear Arms = Gun bans) Conservatives suppress criminals (Calling terrorists what they are, not "freedom fighters" and illegal aliens for what they are, NOT undocumented citizen). For the past 40 years we have seen the Court leaning liberal and some people are getting fed up. When the pendulum is swung too far one way or the other for too long, beware it's momentum on going the other way! --Marcus

Yes, I agree. There's no question what the 2nd amendment meant. The first 10 amendments are the "Bill of Rights" and are for the protection of "individual's" rights against an intrusive government. So the Right to Bear Arms under the Second Amendent is a individual's right to bear arms. --Wes Shaver

I think the Supreme Court was right on! After all, what is a milita? It's a group of armed private citizens (in no way connected to the federal government) coming together to defend their homes. The Second Ammendment was clearly intended to give American citizens the right to bear arms, and that was protected today. Most people seem to forget that the majority of gun crimes are commited by criminals with unregistered firearms, which these bans do NOTHING to stop!!! --Will

Excellent Ruling! Liberal Agenda de-railed! --chequamegon

ABSOLUTELY....!!! We've seen that "ONLY OUTLAWS WILL HAVE GUNS" Has Been true in DC for the past 32 years...Finally COMMON SENSE HAS PREVAILED and a RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL interpretation of the 2nd amendment...COMMON SENSE...AWESOME !!!... --Ross

Its about time the 2nd admendment was clarified, as if it needed clarification. This is a huge victory for the right and a huge setback for the left in this country. Hip Hip Horray!! --Joser

I totally agree - I demand the right to defend my family and my self. --Frank Hughes

I wholeheartedly agree with the courts ruling. laws limiting the ownership of weapons historicly only left the honest law abiding residents undefended against the criminals who have and use these weapons. --Dennis

You're obviously unable to think logically, Mayor Daley. Why is there more violent crime in gun restricted areas? Don't you think that because you still have criminals shooting at police with handguns your gun ban doesn't work? Criminals have nothing to lose and nothing to fear. The police will never be able to be everywhere at once. If they had to wonder if individual citizens were armed or not I'd bet your crime rate would plummet. --Rich

We are an armed country. Endowed with rights by our Creator. Hard to control and free. If that is incompatible with the New World Order then, so be it! Long live the Constitution and the Bill of Rights! --Freeman

I agree with the court's ruling. Washington D.C.and Chicago have handgun bans,and they dont work.How many times has D.C. and Chicago led the nation in murders since the bans have been in effect?All the ban's do is disarm law abiding citizens.The police ALWAYS show up AFTER a crime has been done.Give us a chance to defend ourself.The thugs will always find a way to get guns. --Gary

I agree with the ruling, however, the Constitution does not grant us the right, it enumerates that right. It is a natural law that man is able to defend him or her self. --Chuck Mallory

Outstanding! This will now level the playing field against the thugs of Chicago and D.C. --Brian

Yes, Its long over due, One look at the news paper each day should be evidence that the ruling is correct and may not have gone far enough. --Bill C.

Absolutely agree, banning weapons is not going to stop the criminals from having them, I think that has been proven. The general law abiding civilian should have a right to protect him or herself. And to be able to go hunting, trap shooting or to the range. Some of us find it enjoyable. --Kevin

yes It is our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Perhaps, criminals will think twice now before entering a home. Let's hope. America is stronger because of this ruling!!! --Susan M. Leavey

I think that it is fabulous! I am very glad that the Supreme Court FINALLY let everyone know that the Constitution is still alive and well. --ThamasD

They finally got it right! Might also point out that the supreme court doesn't really get a say when it comes to the decision on wheather I have the right to protect the gift of life I was given. God already gave me that ruling. I'm tired of Chicago being the model for the rest of the state too. The rest of Illinois gets some input too you know. So get ready Blago, Durbin, Husein, and friends. Your unconstitutional ban is next. --Moline Patriot

yes, owning and packing guns is one of the few ways left to us to keep the totalist government in line - sort of --D. Eric Williams

In dissent they referenced that framers did not intend not to allow for local government regulation. Some one should tell the dissent that what was not given to the government remains with the people-PERIOD. --Phil

Great decision! --Pete

Strongly Agree. A pre-existing right (before the establishment of the Constitution, enumerated into the Bill of Rights. So...an individual right, with clear limitations on government's ability to interfere with its exercise. To fight Crime: Fight Criminals! Chicago's Gun ban will be the next to get struck down. --John McKenna

It is in our Constitution and has been the law of the land for several hundred years. Government can not protect us... each household needs to be able to defend against the hundreds of murderes comitted in Chicago each year. --John Hoeger

Finally the judicial system is making rulings for the "Good" of the people! --Steve Kazmeroff

Bravo, about time! --Tom Wilson

The Supreme Court upheld the 2nd amendment to our constitution by a 5-4 vote. Sadly, the vote was not 9-0. --William Neeper

The only thing that concerns me about the ruling is that four of the Supremes dissented. --Matt

Yes I do. It's common sense; something that has gone missing in America these days courtesy of politicians and mouthy rabble rousers. --Expatriate Outlaw

George Mason, called the father of the Bill of Rights, said, "What is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." James Madison, called the father of the Constitution, said of tyrants, "[They were] afraid to trust the people with arms," and lauded "the advantage of being armed, which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation." Alexander Hamilton, replying to accusations that the military power granted to the federal government in the Constitution would lead to tyranny, pointed to the armed citizen as a counterweight: "that army [the Regular Army] can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow citizens." "GOD FORBID WE SHOULD EVER BE 20 YEARS without such a rebellion,what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms." Thomas Jefferson, author of America?s Declaration of Independence, to a friend in 1787 regarding Shay?s Rebellion. Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote! ---Benjamin Franklin 1759 --R.L. Cole

Have the gangbangers, drug dealers and muggers in Chicago or anywhere foregone handguns because of a "ban"? Only citizens are disarmed. Praise the SCOTUS's decision! --Carmine Sarracino

I think it was about time the supreme court ruled on the meaning of the second and most important amendment to the constitution.The court has been pussy footing around this issue for many many years. If it were not for the second amendment there would not be any of the others! --Wayne Morris

It was the right decision. Too often our local and state governments don't look at the bill of rights before passing laws and as a result our freedoms are slowly being chipped away. --C. Hutchinson

I completely agree with the majority in this case. I am dumbfounded though that one of my basic rights was one vote away from being stripped from me. That is pretty scary stuff. --Rick

I agree. Further, we will see crime levels begin to lower in DC. --Craig Meglasson

Yes, I agree this is great news. Prohibiting law abiding citizens from having a weapon in their home for protection is ludicrous. This hopefully have the same effect on the Chicago and other suburbs gun bans. --Dan

Yes I agree with the Court's ruling. It's about time we actually read the Constitution. Freedom isn't freedom if we don't have the tools to defend it. --Jeremy Johnson

Score one for the Good Guys! --Paul

Yes I agree. The courts have already ruled that I am not guaranteed police protection so why should I not be allowed to defend myself. --Gene

Although I agree with the ruling, it is quite frightening that 5 justices can find the second amendment to the Constitution and 4 cannot. --Finbar

No, it seems like the guns will always fall into the wrong hands.Things are bad enough now. More criminals and young kids will be involved even more. -Linda



I can't even belive that the argument that the 2nd amendment (the entire Bill of Rights speaks to INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS) only applied to militias could even be supported with a straight face. --Brian

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Editor's Picks

• Gay Celebrities
• Did You Know? Stars From Chicago!
• Celebs Who Lean To The Right
• Real Or Fake?