http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080626/pl_usnw/bob_barr_calls_heller_decision_on_gun_rights__one_of_court___s_most_important_rulings_on_behalf_of_liberty


Bob Barr Calls Heller Decision on Gun Rights 'One of Court's Most Important
Rulings on Behalf of Liberty'



To: POLITICAL EDITORS

Contact: Audrey Mullen, +1-703-548-1160, for BobBarr2008.com

WASHINGTON, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today the U.S.
Supreme Court upheld the individual right of Americans to own
guns in District of Columbia v. Heller. The ruling will go down
as one of the Supreme Courts most important rulings on behalf of
liberty, says Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr.

Until today, the Court had never held that the Second Amendment
directly applied to individuals. Todays decision marks a new era
for gun rights in America, explains Barr, who is a member of the
Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association. Barr also
drafted the Libertarian Partys amicus curiae brief in Heller. By
protecting an individuals right to keep and bear arms, the Second
Amendment ensures that all Americans are able to participate in
sporting activities, hunt, and protect themselves and their
families, he explains.

The right to self-defense is particularly important for women and
minorities in a city like Washington, D.C. Where crime rates are
high, a gun may be the only means for law-abiding citizens to
safeguard themselves and their families, Barr notes. Lawful gun
ownership deters an untold number of crimes every year.

But the Courts ruling, though welcome, is not enough. It is
important to have a president who also supports the right of
Americans to own firearms, says Barr. Sen. Barack Obama says that
he believes in such a constitutional right, but he supports the
District of Columbias ban, which gives criminals an advantage
over law-abiding citizens, notes Barr.

Sen. McCain has not advocated an absolute prohibition, but he
cosponsored legislation which could require registration of
attendees at gun shows and even ban such shows, Barr warns. And
Sen. McCains campaign legislation curtailed the First Amendment
right of gun owners to protect their rights by participating in
election campaigns.

As part of the Bill of Rights, the Second Amendment undergirds
American liberty. The individuals right to keep and bear arms
helps ensure all of our freedoms, says Barr. The Supreme Courts
recognition of the constitutional right to gun ownership is a
recognition of the right to life, liberty, and property for all
Americans.

Barr represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House
of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, where he served as a senior
member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the
Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee on
Financial Services. Prior to his congressional career, Barr was
appointed by President Reagan to serve as the United States
Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and also served as
an official with the CIA.

Since leaving Congress, Barr has been practicing law and has
teamed up with groups ranging from the American Civil Liberties
Union to the American Conservative Union to actively advocate
every American citizens right to privacy and other civil
liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Along with this, Bob
is committed to helping elect leaders who will strive for smaller
government, lower taxes and abundant individual freedom.

Paid for by the Bob Barr 2008 Presidential Committee

BobBarr2008.com

SOURCE BobBarr2008.com

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