Tony Scalia and the Supremes to Hear DC Gun Ban Case

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide whether the District of Columbia can ban handguns, a case that could produce the most in-depth examination of the constitutional right to "keep and bear arms" in nearly 70 years.

The justices' decision to hear the case could make the divisive debate over guns an issue in the 2008 presidential and congressional elections.

The government of Washington, D.C., is asking the court to uphold its 31-year ban on handgun ownership in the face of a federal appeals court ruling that struck down the ban as incompatible with the Second Amendment. Tuesday's announcement was widely expected, especially after both the District and the man who challenged the handgun ban asked for the high court review.

This is great news. Perhaps Tony Scalia and the Supremes will check the dictionary before hearing this case where they should learn that the words in the Constitution "a well armed milita shall be maintained" mean that we should maintain the National Guard. It doesn't mean that every drug dealer downtown on the corner of 14th and K Street has a right to pack a AK-47 - something the National Rifle Association considers a "sporting rifle."

Of course this is the same Supremes who annointed us with Bush and those who are new to the court were put there by Bush. Chances are this case will result in the Supremes dicatating that all newborns in the United States are required to have a gun in their grasp at the moment of birth. But we can hope they determine that the words in the Constitution are what they actually say.

No doubt the National Rifle Association will be lobbying Tony with huge amounts of money. But there's still a chance.