WASHINGTON – Area U.S. Reps Paul Kanjorski and Christopher Carney are pleased with Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision, affirming the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.  The 5-4 high court decision was in a case pertaining to the District of Columbia, but is expected to have nationwide ramifications.

“For the first time in history, the Supreme Court has finally acknowledged a freedom which many of us have always known – that our Constitution protects the right for Americans to bear arms”, said Kanjorski (D-11).  “I joined many of my colleagues in expressing this opinion to the Court.  Protecting one’s individual liberty is a fundamental American right, as the Supreme Court today recognized.”

Congressman Kanjorski is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1399, the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, which would repeal the gun ban in our nation’s Capitol.  Congressman Kanjorski also joined with 249 other Members and 55 Senators in sending an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, stating their opinion to recognize Americans’ individual right to own guns.

Carney (D-10), also issued a brief statement.  “Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a victory for responsible gun owners everywhere. The Second Amendment applies equally to us all. The right to bear arms is paramount, and no local, state or federal government should be able to compromise that right.”