Justice Sotomayor Testified At Her Confirmation Hearing That She Recognized The “Individual Right” Of The Second Amendment But Today She “Can Find Nothing” “Characterizing It As ‘Fundamental’”
DISSENT JOINED BY JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR: “I Can Find Nothing In The Second Amendment’s Text … To Protect The Keeping And Bearing Of Arms For Private Self-Defense Purposes”
DISSENT JOINED BY JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR: “I Can Find Nothing In The Second Amendment’s Text, History, Or Underlying Rationale That Could Warrant Characterizing It As ‘Fundamental’ Insofar As It Seeks To Protect The Keeping And Bearing Of Arms For Private Self-Defense Purposes.” (“Otis McDonald, Et Al., Petitioners V. City Of Chicago, Illinois, Et Al.” Justice Breyer Dissent Joined By Justices Ginsburg & Sotomayor, U.S. Supreme Court, P.180-1, 6/28/10)
FLASHBACK: Judge Sotomayor Claimed To Agree That “The Second Amendment Right Is An Individual Right”
SEN. PAT LEAHY (D-VT): “Is It Safe To Say That You Accept The Supreme Court’s Decision As Establishing That The Second Amendment Right Is An Individual Right? Is That Correct?” JUDGE SOTOMAYOR: “Yes, Sir.” (Senate Judiciary Committee Confirmation Hearing, 7/14/09)
- LEAHY (D-VT): “I Do Not See How Any Fair Observer Could Regard [Judge Sotomayor’s] Testimony As Hostile To The Second Amendment Personal Right To Bear Arms, A Right She Has Embraced And Recognizes.” “Recognizing that she would be unable to say how she would rule, I asked Judge Sotomayor whether she would approach these matters with an open mind and she assured us that she would. I do not see how any fair observer could regard her testimony as hostile to the Second Amendment personal right to bear arms, a right she has embraced and recognizes.” (Sen. Leahy, Congressional Record, S.8907, 8/6/09)
###
SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
Article written by: Tom White