The Rights and Wrongs of Bearing Arms

Justin Paulette

Justin Paulette is an attorney practicing international law in bella Italia. He hails from the great Buckeye State, "The Heart of it All," the only state with a bridge which you can cross and still be on the same side of the river, home of the hot dog, pop top soda can and the largest basket in the world! Though he's spent the past decade jet-setting across the Atlantic with one foot in London and the other on Capitol Hill, he still fancies himself a Mid-western, God-fearing, role-playing geek at heart.

Posted:

05/4/08

In anticipation of the Supreme Court's looming decision on the constitutionality of Washington D.C.'s handgun ban, Hillary Clinton has brought the issue of gun rights to the forefront with a severe mailing ad attacking Baradsack Obama.

Hillary skillfully attacks Obama's character while reminding readers of his disastrous remarks about "bitter" Pennsylvanians "clinging" to their guns. As well, Clinton may be attempting to posture in preparation for the Supreme Court's ruling. Though she has favored gun control throughout her career, Clinton is now attempting to move to the right of Obama on the issue.

Gun rights will likely flare as a political issue when the Court rules - regardless of the Court's decision. Both sides on the issue are loud and passionate. Clinton is attempting to capture the middle ground, assumably so as to cast both of her opponents as extremists. Yet, as the issue is only a priority to those who have extreme positions, Clinton may prove so cunning that she outsmarts herself.