Gosh, we emerge victorious and many sound defeated. The NRA has the right idea with Illinois - even if they waited 15 minutes longer than I would have. Good for them.
Oftentimes the best defense is a good offense. Some things to start thinking about: howz about requiring the gov't to purchase and provide firearms to those who cannot afford them (as they do with the abortion "right").
How about 42 USC 1983 - the deprivation of a right being actionable for actual and punitive damages. If a governmental official takes your gun, why not sue not only to get it back but also for punitive damages?
Superficially, the NFA community gained least with Heller. Even so, they're already working on the "right" case to get 922(o) killed.
Don't be such pessimists. We've become too accustomed to defensive posturing. A door has been opened - we now have a right. Decades of disingenuous arguments from Brady (and that ilk) about the prefatory clause came to an abrupt end today.
And no, it does not matter whether it was 5-4 or 9-0. And no, they will not be able to say that the right only applies to DC. They will try - as would you, in their shoes. They will almost certainly lose. It may take some time to get through the 14th, but a massive hurdle was overcome today.
If you must torture yourselves with awfulizations, consider the probable effect of appointments from Gore or Kerry presidencies on today's result.
Sam
