The US Supreme Court has not ever conclusively interpreted the second amendment of the Constitution since its ratification in 1791.
Some say that is because like slavery and tobacco, guns are as American as war, murder and suicide. Others read the amendment and see almost crystal clear language and obvious intention that the drafters of the amendment and its subsequent ratifiers knew in their hearts of hearts that frontier folk needed rifles to hunt the disgusting vermin that played an essential part in their haute cuisine and that if there was going to be a fight startin' the state militia would be armed with personally owned and maintained squirrel, possum, and beaver rifles belonging to Davy Cricket, Daniel Boome and Swamp Fox, Frances Marion (who was as queer as John Wayne).
The Bushes Court where more inept judges appointed by inept Presidents of the same name preside than ever in US history seems to be drifting toward the slaves, tobacco and guns preschool of thought. Chief Justice Roberts, who has never lived outside of an elite mansion in an elie gated community, stated that he cannot understand why the poor people of DC have banned handguns, just because they have the highest death rate of children by handguns in the world.
Swing vote Kennedy seems ready to vote as he has always voted since his elevation to decider by the retirement of Justice O'Connor:" Let's see (tongue deftly placed in right corner of his slack jaw) eeenee, mmmeeeaaannnie, mighty Mowe, I think I shall side with the Repub majoritoe."
