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'''''District of Columbia v. Heller''''' is the most significant [[gun control]] case in the [[United States]] in about 70 years.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/washington/13scotus.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss NY Times article].</ref>  Oral argument before the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] took place on [[March 18]], [[2008]]. Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] took the unusual step of authorizing an early release of the audio recording of argument to the public.<ref>http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-scotus-audio,0,7739435.story</ref>

'''''District of Columbia v. Heller''''' is the most significant [[gun control]] case in the [[United States]] in about 70 years.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/washington/13scotus.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss NY Times article].</ref>  Oral argument before the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] took place on [[March 18]], [[2008]]. Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] took the unusual step of authorizing an early release of the audio recording of argument to the public.<ref>http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-scotus-audio,0,7739435.story</ref>

In March 2007, The Court of Appeals for the [[D.C. Circuit]] invalidated a 31-year-old [[gun control]] statute in the [[District of Columbia]] based on an interpretation that the [[Second Amendment]] protects an individual right to own firearms, by declaring that "the right in question is individual" and not, as gun control proponents claim, a collective right limited to membership in a state militia.<ref>''Parker v. District of Columbia'', 478 F.3d 370 (D.C. Cir. 2007).</ref>  The D.C. statute had completely prohibited residents of the [[District of Columbia]] from possessing firearms in a manner compatible with [[self defense]].  The Court, in striking it down, relied on a Department of Justice memo that observed, "The Second Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias."<ref>[http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.pdf DOJ Memo].</ref>

In March 2007, The Court of Appeals for the [[D.C. Circuit]] invalidated a 31-year-old [[gun control]] statute in the [[District of Columbia]] based on an interpretation that the [[Second Amendment]] protects an individual right to own firearms, by declaring that "the right in question is individual" and not, as gun control proponents claim, a collective right limited to membership in a state militia.<ref>''Parker v. District of Columbia'', 478 F.3d 370 (D.C. Cir. 2007).</ref>  The D.C. statute had completely prohibited residents of the [[District of Columbia]] from possessing firearms in a manner compatible with [[self defense]].  The Court, in striking it down, relied on a Department of Justice memo that observed, "The Second Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias."<ref name="amendment">[http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.pdf DOJ Memo].</ref>

That appellate struck down the 31-year-old statute in D.C. as unconstitutional.  ''[[Parker v. District of Columbia]]'', 478 F.3d 370 (D.C. Cir. 2007).  The Court cited how the D.C. gun control prohibited ownership of handguns for self-defense even within one’s home, and the panel of judges relied on a Department of Justice memo that observed, "The Second Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias." http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.pdf

That appellate struck down the 31-year-old statute in D.C. as unconstitutional.  ''[[Parker v. District of Columbia]]'', 478 F.3d 370 (D.C. Cir. 2007).  The Court cited how the D.C. gun control prohibited ownership of handguns for self-defense even within one’s home, and the panel of judges relied on a Department of Justice memo that observed, "The Second Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias." <ref name="amendment" />

In 2007 the [[United States Supreme Court]] granted [[certiorari]]<ref>Docket No. 07-290.</ref> to reconsider the appellate decision.  Oral argument will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2008, and a decision is expected in late June 2008.  The Court indicated that it would address the following issue ("Question Presented"):

In 2007 the [[United States Supreme Court]] granted [[certiorari]]<ref>Docket No. 07-290.</ref> to reconsider the appellate decision.  Oral argument will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2008, and a decision is expected in late June 2008.  The Court indicated that it would address the following issue ("Question Presented"):