The battle rages on...

Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com

Well, the wonderful DC Government is at it again. Mr. Heller has had to file ANOTHER lawsuit in an attempt to correct the DC government's unconstitutional behavior. To recap: More than thirty years ago the District of Columbia banned private ownership of handguns and outlawed the possession of any functional and loaded rifle or shotgun. They got away with it for more than three decades. Then along came Mr. Heller and he sued them so that he could possess a handgun in his own home for self-defense. After the local courts debated it back and forth - some agreeing with him and others not - it ended up in front of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court struck down the DC law as unconstitutional and clearly stated in its published opinion that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right specifically written to permit citizens to own weapons for immediate needs such as self-defense. In reaction the DC government drafted and passed "emergency legislation" that makes it 99.9% impossible to own, possess or access a handgun for the purpose of immediate need to defend oneself. Additionally, they've written "definitions" of weapons that are quite ludicrous. Calling a government model 1911 .45ACP PISTOL a "machine gun" simply because it loads through the grip from a box magazine is the type of uneducated and narrow-minded action typical of those bound and determined to do what they want no matter what someone else says and FULLY AWARE of the fact that what they are doing is STILL UNCONSTITUTIONAL. So, Heller has had to file a new lawsuit that he has every reason to expect to win. If I were a member of the Supreme Court I'd be seriously pissed at the way the leadership in DC is thumbing its collective nose at me. Can't these "leaders" be held responsible for knowingly and intentionally passing unconstitutional laws? Isn't there some charge that can be pressed? How about contempt of court? The Supreme Court's opinion is effectively a legal statement prohibiting such laws from being enacted or enforced. DC is continuing on in the same vein. And it's not just the 2nd Amendment... In spite of lawsuits that have been filed, DC's government continues - through the police department - to prohibit the free movement of free citizens on public roadways. They PROHIBIT an adult citizen from walking on a PUBLIC roadway or driving down a PUBLIC street unless the citizen can prove they have business in the area being entered. Can you say, "Where are your papers, Comrade?" While the DC Government continues to act in an unconstitutional fashion, citizens fight a legal battle to protect their rights. If the debate was on-going I could understand this. But there is no debate. In the matter of the 2nd Amendment the Supreme Court has "spoken". That issue has been resolved. The unconstitutionality of DC's law has been declared. As the city leaders now KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY continue on the same course, who has the power to charge them with a crime? The Supreme Court? The U.S. Attorney General? Ultimately the power rests with the people. The free residents of Washington DC need to step up on the next election day and state clearly that they will not tolerate their liberties being taken from them by those "in power". The CITIZENS need to demonstrate who actually holds the power - and that power is the power of the vote. Get rid of Fenty next time around. Elect a Mayor who will respect the Constitution and the citizens. Elect a Mayor who will appoint a Chief of Police and an Attorney General who respect the Constitution and the citizens. The burden, for DC, lies on "YOU the people..." In this case, "WE the people" can do little to help aside from offering emotional support. What do you think?