Court Opinion

ID: 9649422
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 14:52:50.255876+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:53:19.455637
License: Public Domain

NEBEKER, Associate Judge,
concurring:
On the assumption which we make that the second amendment applies at all to the District of Columbia, I concur in the opinion of the court. I write separately to state my conclusion that the second amendment does not apply to the seat of national government. This amendment is to ensure “the security of a free State.” State militias were essential to that end — hence, the amendment. Nothing suggests that the founders were concerned about “free territories,” “free protectorates” or a “free Seat of Government of the United States.” See U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 17. Indeed clause 17 gives to Congress exclusive legislative power in all cases over such “District.” It may fairly be said that a federal militia is available in such places. Therefore, whatever may be said for the second amendment and its reach within the several states, I conclude first that it does not apply to the Seat of Government of the United States.