Judge Gorsuch Avoids Sen. Feinstein's Trap

posted on March 23, 2017

On Day 2 of Judge Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation hearing, U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., attempted to ensnare him by quoting the late Justice Antonin Scalia out of context: 

“Justice Scalia also wrote that, quote, weapons that are most useful in military service, M-16 rifles and the like, may be banned, end quote, without infringing on the Second Amendment. Do you agree with that statement?” 

AWR Hawkins quotes Scalia’s entire statement: “It may be objected that if weapons that are most useful in military service—M-16 rifles and the like—may be banned, then the Second Amendment right is completely detached from the prefatory clause.” Scalia was making the point that one clause of the Second Amendment is not set against another, not opening the door to gun bans. 

Justifiably wary, Gorsuch asked, “Are the statements out of the Heller decision?” Feinstein fudged, “Out of Justice Scalia’s statement.” 

Gorsuch then replied, “Whatever is in Heller is the law, and I follow the law … It’s not a matter of agreeing or disagreeing, Senator, respectfully. It’s a matter of it being the law, and my job is to apply and enforce the law.” 

Well played, Judge Gorsuch.

Latest

end table with firearm
end table with firearm

10 Things the Mainstream Media Doesn't Want You To Know About Concealed Carry

The "mainstream" media likes to place the blame for violent crime on guns, not criminals. The truth about concealed carry, however, is very different from how man in the media frame in.

The Armed Citizen® March 24, 2023

True stories of the right to keep and bear arms.

Special Report: The NRA is Fighting Back

To undercut the Second Amendment, New York officials attacked the NRA's First Amendment rights. To stop this, the NRA has asked the U.S. Supreme Court for redress.

From the Editor: Maybe They Just Don't Understand

Hollywood does, in fact, have some social responsibility, but getting there just takes more thought than some of them can manage.

Did Biden Really Expand Background Checks?

Here's what President Biden's recent executive order actually does.

Standing Guard | Biden’s State Of The Union Spin

President Biden has a long, well-documented history of lies suited to his political agenda.

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.