Pennsylvania’s longstanding constitutional recognition of an individual right to bear arms in defense of self and state and its colonial and early state history inform any inquiry into the meaning of the Second Amendment. The impetus for adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution came from the states, among which Pennsylvania was an important motivating force. The right to bear arms in self-defense is as important today as ever. The Second Amendment recognizes an individual, and fundamental, right to own a gun for self-defense.

John P. Krill
February 11, 2008
D.C. v. Heller
Brief for amicus curiae the President Pro Tempore of the Senate of Pennsylvania, Joseph B. Scarnati, III, in support of respondent.
[It was 7:00 AM this morning, I was half asleep, almost listening to the news when I heard something about the Supreme Court and the D.C. ban. I jumped out of bed and ran to the computer to get more news. Google News didn’t have anything and I anxiously watched the SCOTUS blog live for information. Nothing on Heller today. But the ruling is expected be sometime this month. Until then I’ll be quoting D.C. v Heller briefs every day.–Joe]