RKV
2009-10-16 07:37:12
Murdock v. Pennsylvania would appear to make licensing schemes unconstitutional (at least to “keep” arms). That said, the government might place a million dollar tax on the sale of guns and or ammunition.
“A state may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted
by the federal constitution… The power to impose a license tax on
the exercise of these freedoms is indeed as potent as the power of
censorship which this Court has repeatedly struck down… a person
cannot be compelled ‘to purchase, through a license fee or a license
tax, the privilege freely granted by the constitution.”
Justice Douglas was a drunk and an ass, but he did get this one right.
