Mayor Nutter today tried to spin the
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striking down the Washington DC gun ban as good news for Philadelphia's attempts at local gun legislation.
Nutter quoted from the ruling several times. He said that while the Supreme Court upheld the right to have a weapon in the home, it made clear that the government could make restrictions on gun ownership.
"What the Supreme Court decision speaks to is a right to keep a weapon in their home," Nutter said. "What we are dealing with is not lawful ownership, but illegal activity."
Nutter later said "it is clear the court is sending a message. Governments have a right and responsibility to legislate in these areas and create reasonable restrictions."
Earlier this year, Nutter signed five local gun control bills into law, prompting a lawsuit from the National Rifle Association, who argue that only the state has the right to dictate gun restrictions. A Common Pleas judge ruled several weeks ago that the city can enforce three of the laws.