FORT WORTH, TX—
Zach Hiett may be ready for another long gun for target practice. He was shopping at a Fort Worth gun shop.In Texas, if Hiett passes the federal background check then he is good to go to buy the gun. "For people who just enjoy shooing I don't think it needs to be more restrictive than that".
Gun owners are watching closely as the US Supreme Court takes up a pivotal debate about how far states and cities can go to regulate guns. All of it stems from a Chicago law banning guns. "I don't believe that is right. If you can pass a federal background check you should be able to own a gun", says DeWayne Irwin who owns Cheaper Than Dirt gun store in Fort Worth.
Irwin says everywhere gun owners will be keeping tabs on the high court's ruling. He expects it to be historic and send a message that states and municipalities can't mess with the Second Amendment. "The constitution was written saying that we have the right to keep and bear arms. I don't think a city or state should step on that".
Two years ago, the high court struck down Washington D-C's gun ban. But, not being a state some wanted a clearer definition of gun rights. If the court strikes down Chicago's ban, some but not all gun restrictions may be blown away, which is worrisome to gun law advocates.
Marsha McCartney, President of the Dallas Brady Campaign Chapter, says she doesn't see the court turning back time and removing all local limits. "Just because you have a right doesn't mean there shouldn't be limits. Even back in the days of the wild west some city's had limits on guns".
It is a debate that all sides will be watching, knowing the decision could throw one side of the gun debate off target.
