From the
Washington Times - The Supreme Court on Monday said the Second Amendment gives all Americans a right to keep and bear arms for self-defense that can't be infringed by state and local laws. In a 5-4 decision, the court rejected arguments that overturning Chicago's near-30-year-old handgun ban would have grave implications for cities and states attempting to control crime, with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. noting that gun ownership is "not the only constitutional right that has controversial public safety implications." "The right to keep and bear arms must be regarded as a substantive guarantee, not a prohibition that could be ignored so long as the states legislated in an evenhanded manner," Justice Alito wrote for the majority. The majority did signal that some gun restrictions could pass constitutional muster. The ruling considering Chicago's ban was similar to the court's decision in the 2008 case District of Columbia v. Heller, which recognized the right of D.C. residents to register handguns and keep them in their homes for their protection.
Read more
Supreme Court extends gun rights to states
From the New Mexico Independent - By Bryant Furlow - Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico Friday petitioned the state Supreme Court to block acting insurance superintendent Johnny Montoya’s suspension of a controversial 21 percent health insurance rate hike. “This case is about fundamental fairness and adherence to the law,” Blue Cross Blue Shield attorneys wrote in the petition, which described Montoya’s suspension as “unlawful and unconstitutional.” The company is represented by the Sutin, Thayer and Browne law firm of Albuquerque. The Independent received no response to a request for comment from Montoya Monday. Montoya’s suspension of the rate hike approval was “right and necessary,” according to Public Regulation Commission (PRC) commissioner Jason Marks. An expert hired by the state Attorney General’s office had concluded the rate hike was unjustified and the company had “inflated” its losses. But just a day before a scheduled public hearing on the proposed rate hike, a weekend deal was stuck between the Attorney General’s office, Blue Cross Blue Shield attorneys, and Insurance Division staffers, leading former insurance superintendent Morris “Mo” Chavez to approve a 21.3 percent rate hike. Marks had denounced that weekend settlement at the time as “a back room deal.” Read more
Posts
