Cranberry Township, PA - Former Congresswoman Melissa Hart today released a statement praising the Supreme Court's ruling on the Heller case.

 

"The United States Supreme Court made a very good and important decision today with its ruling on the Heller case.  Now, citizens of Washington, D.C. can enjoy the same Constitutional rights as residents of the 50 states.   This is likely the most important Second Amendment case of our time.  The ruling is likely to spark legislative initiatives all over the country in the coming weeks to restore Second Amendment rights of many whose cities have infringed on the right of an individual to bear arms," said Hart.

 

The last time the Supreme Court heard a case on the Second Amendment was in 1939.  (United States v. Miller)

 

"I have always believed that the Second Amendment right to bear arms is an individual right - and not only a collective right, as some gun control supporters have claimed.  During the years I served on the State Senate and the U.S. House Judiciary committees, I was a strong and constant leader on protecting Second Amendment rights.  I sponsored legislation which stopped municipalities from frivolously suing firearm manufacturers.  I supported the end to the D.C. gun ban, as well as, the states right to carry reciprocity legislation.  I also prohibited the re-authorization of the far overreaching assault weapon ban.  The policies we set during that time provided a favorable environment that made the decision today possible."

 

"This case reminds those of us who are truly concerned about degradations of the U.S. Constitution and our individual liberties, that we must not allow ourselves to be fooled by those who claim to support Second Amendment rights, but act in ways that weaken them."

 

"Jason Altmire may claim back home in Western PA that he supports our Second Amendment rights, but in reality he has 'gone Washington' and one of the first votes he ever cast in Washington, D.C. was to elect anti-gun Nancy Pelosi to Speaker of the House.  As long as Speaker Pelosi controls the agenda in the House, she will ensure that pro-second amendment legislation never sees the light of day."     

 

"An example of the inaction on the part of Speaker Pelosi and this Congress is The District of Columbia Personal Protection Act, (H.R. 1399).  It was introduced March 8, 2007 to repeal the DC gun ban; however that bill has now been sitting in committee for 15 months with no action taken." 

 

"I have fought consistently to protect our Second Amendment rights against anti-gun legislators and their trial lawyer supporters who tried to bankrupt the American firearm manufacturers, kill the good jobs they provide and try to get the courts to take away our rights.  As I did for 6 years in Congress, I will not just talk about protecting our Second Amendment rights and hunting traditions, my actions and votes will continue to match my words." 

 

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