The Second Amendment Lives Thanks to the Help of The Police Benevolent Association!

In a decision of historical proportions, on June 26, 2008, the United States Supreme Court reminded us that we do live in America. The Court decided in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects an INDIVIDUAL RIGHT to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that firearm for traditionally lawful purposes such as self-defense within the home. This was the first time that the Supreme Court had ruled on that issue as to individual rights. Judge Scalia made clear that this is not an unlimited right; for example, restrictions on felons possession firearms are valid.

The Southern States P.B.A. is proud to have been involved early on in the filing of an amicus curiae brief supporting Respondent Heller in this protection of our individual rights. This decision will affect all law enforcement officers after they leave law enforcement. Mr. Heller, the Respondent in this case and a special police officer authorized to carry a handgun while on duty at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington D.C., was denied a registration certificate for a handgun that he wished to keep at home.

When asked to comment on the judgment, Southern States PBA President and former police officer Jack Roberts said, “Would you like to beg permission to have a handgun in your home for self defense after you have spent your entire career upholding the law and putting bad guys behind bars? We at Southern States P.B.A. are proud to represent those who are on the front lines to help keep our citizens safe. We are likewise proud when we can help them in this endeavor by enabling law-abiding citizens to have the ability to protect themselves, which will include all law enforcement officers when they choose to leave the law enforcement profession.”

Southern States P.B.A. is a regional professional law enforcement association headquartered in McDonough, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. It is comprised of more that 21,000 officers and support personnel employed by numerous federal, state, county, and municipal government agencies all across the southeastern United States. The Southern States P.B.A represents its members by providing legal services and advocacy work to improve the quality of life for persons employed in law enforcement. Our office can be reached at 1-800-233-3506 or www.sspba.org.