On March 18, 2008, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the District of Columbia v. Heller case. This case marks the first time a 2nd Amendment challenge to a firearm case has reached the Court since 1939. DC v. Heller may be a landmark case because of the far reaching impact it can have on the constitutional right of U.S. citizens to possess firearms for personal defense.
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) represents over 2500 rank-and-file Phoenix Police Officers. PLEA stands in support of a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms as outlined in the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution.
Over the years lower courts have consistently reaffirmed that the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution supports a citizen”s right to keep and bear arms. PLEA recognizes the importance of the right for citizens within a free society to protect and defend their lives, their families, their property and other people. This right becomes crucial when police services are not readily available.
A society that does not trust its citizens with guns does not trust its citizens. When citizens live in a society where only the police and military have guns, they are living in a police state. Seeing that criminals seem to find a way to illegally arm themselves with guns, citizens should not be deterred in any way to legally exercise the right to possess and utilize a firearm.
Clearly the framers of the Constitution appeared to know that giving U.S. citizens the right to keep and bear arms was a key ingredient in maintaining and protecting their other freedoms and rights that the same document enumerates.