John Paul Stevens, a 97-year-old retired Supreme Court Justice, is calling for the Second Amendment to be repealed in favor of clearing the way for significant gun control legislation.
Justice Stevens wrote an op-ed essay for “The New York Times” website and said a repeal would weaken the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) ability to “block constructive gun control legislation.”
This is not a new stand for Stevens. He previously called for changing the 2nd Amendment to allow for gun control in 2008. He was on the losing end of a ruling in which the high court held that the 2nd Amendment gives individuals the right to own a gun for self-defense.
In that case, District of Columbia v. Heller, Stevens said the decision “has provided the N.R.A. with a propaganda weapon of immense power.”
Justice Stevens retired from the court in 2010, after more than 35 years.