The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Gun laws under prospective presidential candidates

jgcoastie · January 9, 2012, 10:13 AM

Ditto on SCOTUS nominations, not to mention other court appointments. That's probably the most important function (in terms of RKBA) of the Presidency.

In the next 4-8 years it is likely that the SCOTUS will have a couple seats vacated, as Justices Scalia, Kennedy, and Ginsburg are all 75+ years old. 75-80 seems to be a common age for SCOTUS Justice retirement.

It is important to note; the President doesn't appoint Justices to the SCOTUS, they are nominated. SCOTUS nominees must be confirmed by the Senate. Without straying too far into partisan politics, obtaining a conservative majority in the Senate* is just as important as winning the Presidency.

* Pro-2ndA mindsets are more prevalent among conservative politicians vice liberal politicians. Therefore, the argument can be made that a conservative majority in the Senate is more favorable towards gun owners. I acknowledge that there are liberal politicians and individuals which are pro-2ndA, however they are the exception, not the rule.

January 9, 2012, 10:13 AM	#15
jgcoastie Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Kodiak, Alaska Posts: 2,118	Ditto on SCOTUS nominations, not to mention other court appointments. That's probably the most important function (in terms of RKBA) of the Presidency. In the next 4-8 years it is likely that the SCOTUS will have a couple seats vacated, as Justices Scalia, Kennedy, and Ginsburg are all 75+ years old. 75-80 seems to be a common age for SCOTUS Justice retirement. It is important to note; the President doesn't appoint Justices to the SCOTUS, they are nominated. SCOTUS nominees must be confirmed by the Senate. Without straying too far into partisan politics, obtaining a conservative majority in the Senate* is just as important as winning the Presidency. * Pro-2ndA mindsets are more prevalent among conservative politicians vice liberal politicians. Therefore, the argument can be made that a conservative majority in the Senate is more favorable towards gun owners. I acknowledge that there are liberal politicians and individuals which are pro-2ndA, however they are the exception, not the rule. __________________ "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." -Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights.