Montana urges Supreme Court to uphold gun rights in D.C. case

HELENA, Mont. (AP) Montana has joined 30 other states in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a lower court ruling, affirming the individual's right to bear arms.

Attorney General Mike McGrath says the states signed a "friend-of-the-court" brief, that supports a federal appeals court ruling that the District of Columbia's ban on handguns violates the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The District of Columbia bans ownership of handguns, and requires other guns kept in homes to be trigger-locked or taken apart.

McGrath says the Supreme Court will address whether the Constitution guarantees an individual right to have a gun for a private use, or whether it ensures only the collective right to have guns in organized military service.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 02-11-08 1454CST | save this article / add to your favorites list