Harris, Kratovil: Gun ruling not a loaded issue

State Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) is applauding a U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down Thursday morning, which struck down Washington, D.C.’s controversial ban on hand guns and reaffirmed the rights U.S. citizens have to own firearms under the Second Amendment.

“Today's ruling is a victory for individual rights and personal liberty,” Harris said in a statement. “Gun-grabbing liberals should take note that the Constitution clearly states Americans have the right to own firearms and the Supreme Court reaffirmed that today.”

Harris went on to say that the federal government does not have the rights to keep records on who possesses firearms, should enact laws to allow individuals to carry concealed weapons and permit citizens to hunt on public lands.

But Harris and his 1st Congressional District opponent, State's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville), don’t seem to be dueling over the high court’s decision. “Frank supports the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms,” Erik Gulbrandsen, Kratovil’s spokesman, told PolitickerMD.com.

National Democrats believe Kratovil could capture the vast district, which includes the Eastern Shore and parts of Harford and Baltimore counties, from the GOP. In the February Republican primary, Harris defeated nine-term U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville).

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