Brady Center Statement on the Retirement of Justice Stevens

Apr 9, 2010

Washington, D.C. – Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, issued the following statement today about Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens’ plan to retire this summer:

“All Americans concerned about the daily tragedy of American gun violence owe Justice Stevens a debt of gratitude for his penetrating dissent in District of Columbia v. Heller.  In that dissent, Justice Stevens eloquently warned of the danger of excessive judicial interference with the life and death judgments of the elected representatives of the people in regulating guns in the interest of public safety.  So far, his warnings have been heeded by the lower courts in consistently upholding gun laws challenged since the Heller decision. 

“Our hope is that President Obama will nominate to the High Court a candidate who, like Justice Stevens, will respect the reasonable judgments of legislative bodies as to how best to protect the public from death and injury from gunfire.”

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As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities

Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.
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