Former Supreme Court Justice: ‘Repeal the Second Amendment’, Trump: 'Never'
Join us and tell your reps how you feel!
UPDATED - March 3, 2018: President Donald Trump vowed the Second Amendment would "never be repealed," a day after retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens called for just that.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT WILL NEVER BE REPEALED! As much as Democrats would like to see this happen, and despite the words yesterday of former Supreme Court Justice Stevens, NO WAY. We need more Republicans in 2018 and must ALWAYS hold the Supreme Court!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2018
This marks the first statement on guns or gun-control by the president after the massive March For Our Lives protests on March 24.
Read Countable's original story below.
What’s the story?
Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is calling for a repeal of the Second Amendment.
In an op-ed published in the New York Times on Tuesday, the 97-year-old Stevens – a lifelong Republican - argues that the right to bear arms is outdated and misinterpreted:
"Concern that a national standing army might pose a threat to the security of the separate states led to the adoption of that amendment…is a relic of the 18th century."
Why does it matter?
- Stevens wrote that those who have been advocating for stricter gun control legislation – like the participants in the March For Our Lives – should move towards pressing lawmakers for the removal of the Second Amendment.
"That simple but dramatic action would move Saturday’s marchers closer to their objective than any other possible reform. It would eliminate the only legal rule that protects sellers of firearms in the United States—unlike every other market in the world. It would make our schoolchildren safer than they have been since 2008 and honor the memories of the many, indeed far too many, victims of recent gun violence."
- The former justice referenced his dissent in the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller case, which ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own a gun for self-defense within their home. "That decision…has provided the N.R.A. with a propaganda weapon of immense power," Stevens wrote.
What do you think?
Should gun-control advocates press lawmakers to repeal the Second Amendment? Would that lead to "more effective and more lasting reform"? Is the right to bear arms “a relic of the 18th century”? Hit Take Action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.
—Josh Herman
Related Reading
The Latest
-
IT: 🛢️ New Vermont measure could charge Big Oil for climate damages, and... Do you think Trump is guilty?Welcome to Friday, May 10th, friends... Vermont could be one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages read more...
-
Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money TrialUpdated May 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST Adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, spent two days on the stand read more... Law Enforcement
-
Vermont Measure to Charge Big Oil for Climate DamagesWhat’s the story? Vermont is expected to become one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages caused by read more... Environment
-
IT: Trump's 2016 'deny, deny, deny' campaign strategy, and... How can you help the civilians of Ukraine?Welcome to Wednesday, May 8th, weekenders... As Trump's hush money trial enters it's third week, the 2016 campaign strategy of read more...