Peterson applauds Supreme Court decision in McDonald v. Chicago

(WASHINGTON, DC)—Congressman Collin Peterson (D-MN) praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in McDonald v. Chicago where it ruled that it is unconstitutional for state and local governments to restrict individual gun rights. In doing so, the Court struck down the city of Chicago’s gun control law.

“The Court got this one right,” Congressman Peterson said. “The Second Amendment guarantees all Americans should have the same rights no matter where they live.”

In November 2009, Congressman Peterson joined 309 other members of Congress in sending a “friend of the court” brief to the Supreme Court expressing their belief that the Second Amendment applied to state and local governments. The Supreme Court’s reasoning largely mirrored the reasoning in Congressman Peterson’s brief.

“I’ve always been a strong defender of our gun rights,” Congressman Peterson said. “This ruling makes clear that no government—federal, state or local—can infringe on the right to ‘keep and bear arms’ and I applaud the Court’s decision.”

The amicus brief Congressman Peterson signed in November is available here.

-30-