Opponents of gun control legislation often cite the 2nd Amendment, which states that citizens of the United States have the constitutional right to own firearms. This portion of the Bill of Rights has been repeatedly upheld by court cases in the Senate and House of Representatives. On June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that “the Second Amendment, part of the 10-amendment Bill of Rights adopted shortly after the Constitution itself, guarantees the right of individual U.S. citizens to possess and use firearms for traditionally lawful purposes” in a 5-4 vote (Hunter). The Constitution is regarded by the Court as the highest law in the country, historically taking precedent over any other legal document, sometimes resulting in the nullification of laws regarded as unconstitutional. Gun rights advocates argue that gun control laws are unconstitutional
Bibliography: "Gun Facts." Entry. Web. 13 Feb. 2010. <http://www.gun-control-network.org/GF01.htm> Heston, Charlton, and Sarah Brady. "The Second Amendment: A Closer Look." American Legion Magazine Feb. 2002: 12+. SIRS Researcher. Web. 11 February 2010. Huelsman, Melissa. "Gun Control Is Constitutional." Current Controversies: Guns and Violence. Ed. Henny H. Kim. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. THE WOODLANDS COLLEGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL. 9 Feb. 2010 Hunter, Bridget. "Highest U.S. Court Examines, Interprets Constitutional Right." America.gov Press Release 02 Jul 2008: n.p. SIRS Government Reporter. Web. 11 February 2010. "News Flash: Criminals Ignore Laws (including Gun Control Laws) | ." LearnAboutGuns.com. Web. 13 Feb. 2010. http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/06/12/news-flash-criminals-ignore-laws-including-gun-control-laws/ Ring, Ray. "Guns R Us." High Country News (Paonia, CO) Vol. 39, No. 14 Aug. 6 2007: 10-17. SIRS Researcher. Web. 11 February 2010. SCALIA, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which ROBERTS, C.J., and KENNEDY, THOMAS, and ALITO, JJ., joined. STEVENS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which SOUTER, GINSBURG, and BREYER, JJ., joined. BREYER, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which STEVENS, SOUTER, and GINSBURG, JJ., joined.