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The gun lobby: fair-weather federalists [View all]
Lobby is an enemy of state and local government, yet some of the most fervent supporters of its Big Government encroachments oppose health care law on 'federalism' principles.
By Jonathan Lowy
The National Law Journal
April 30, 2012
As the U.S. Supreme Court heard historic arguments against President Obama's health care legislation last month, the courtroom was filled with high-minded talk about the pressing need to rein in the ever growing powers of the federal government to protect individual rights and state autonomy. Delivered convincingly, one might have believed that these opponents of "Obamacare" are principled federalists, who stand up for states' rights whenever they are violated.
Don't believe it. The gun lobby may be the greatest enemy of state and local government in politics today, and some of the most fervent supporters of their Big Government encroachments oppose health care on "federalism principles." After supporting the gun lobby's evisceration of state and local authority, these fair-weather federalists are shocked, shocked, that gambling is taking place in their casino.
A case in point. The gun lobby's "National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act," recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, would deprive states of their long-standing police-power authority to decide who can carry loaded guns on their streets and other public places. New York, for example, greatly restricts the carrying of loaded guns in public — a major reason the city has so effectively reduced crime in recent years.
More: From the National Law Journal
By Jonathan Lowy
The National Law Journal
April 30, 2012
As the U.S. Supreme Court heard historic arguments against President Obama's health care legislation last month, the courtroom was filled with high-minded talk about the pressing need to rein in the ever growing powers of the federal government to protect individual rights and state autonomy. Delivered convincingly, one might have believed that these opponents of "Obamacare" are principled federalists, who stand up for states' rights whenever they are violated.
Don't believe it. The gun lobby may be the greatest enemy of state and local government in politics today, and some of the most fervent supporters of their Big Government encroachments oppose health care on "federalism principles." After supporting the gun lobby's evisceration of state and local authority, these fair-weather federalists are shocked, shocked, that gambling is taking place in their casino.
A case in point. The gun lobby's "National Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act," recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, would deprive states of their long-standing police-power authority to decide who can carry loaded guns on their streets and other public places. New York, for example, greatly restricts the carrying of loaded guns in public — a major reason the city has so effectively reduced crime in recent years.
More: From the National Law Journal
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