HELLER DECISION ANNOUNCED

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled, 5-4, agreeing with a lower court decision to strike down the District of Columbia's strict prohibition on handgun ownership. The decision, which you can read here, upholds the concept that the Second Amendment does, in fact, protect an individual right to firearms ownership. The majority decision, written by Justice Scalia, does not, however, throw out all restrictions on that right. It is a milestone decision, in any case, as it now clarifies the constitutional question, much in the way that Roe v. Wade clarified the issue of abortion. Like that case, it will be difficult (but not impossible) for proponents of very restrictive gun laws to overturn the decision directly. Like abortion, of course, the issue will live on politically, as most gun control statutes are not as restrictive as the D.C. law, but many will now be challenged by the NRA and other pro-gun groups.

As for the impact on the Fall campaign, I don't think it will help galvanize anti-gun folks, as I suspect those folks don't need any more incentive to go to the polls than that already provided by the Bush Administration, the Iraq War, and the prospect of electing the first African-American President (who also happens to be a McGovern Liberal). Pro-gun people might be made a bit more complacent, which could hurt McCain.