Someone asked me what Kevin Lyons and Darin LaHood thought of the Supreme Court’s second-amendment ruling, so I asked them. So far, I’ve only received a response from LaHood; if and when I get a response from Lyons, I’ll post it as well. Here’s what Darin had to say:

I think it is a great victory for the law abiding citizens of our community and this Country. I have always believed that law abiding citizens have the right to defend themselves with a weapon and also have the right to go hunting with a weapon. This right is clearly articulated in the 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution. I strongly support the Supreme Court’s decision.

My experience as a prosecutor is that strict enforcement and prosecution of convicted felons and criminals who use and possess weapons is the most effective way to reduce gun violence and violent crime. Having personally prosecuted hundreds of violent criminals who used and possessed weapons I know first hand the importance of combating gun violence while respecting the right of law abiding citizens to own guns. We don’t need more gun laws; we need better enforcement of existing gun laws to get guns out of the hands of criminals. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, which I spearheaded as a Federal Prosecutor, is a great example of how tough prosecution of felons, who possess weapons, can reduce criminal activity and take criminals off our streets.