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Show PAGE A8 Hatch Hails Supreme Court Ruling To Strike Down D.C. Handgun Ban In a 5-4 decision today, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 32-year-old law that bans handguns in Washington, D.C. Today’s historic decision in the District of Columbia v. Heller recognized for the first time that the Constitution’s Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), an unflinching advocate for the Second Amendment and the nation’s 93 million gun owners, hailed the landmark ruling. “The court’s ruling properly upholds Americans’ right to bear arms,” Hatch said. “This is a landmark event in America’s constitutional history. The district’s law amounted to a complete ban on ownership and possession of a usable firearm. This is an affront to any community that respects the rights of persons to defend themselves and their families. Responsible gun ownership is a deterrent to crime. By se- JULY 4, 2008 Summit County News curing the constitutional rights of the district’s citizens, the court has provided individuals and families with the legal protections they need to safeguard themselves.” Six D.C. residents filed suit against the district in 2003 to challenge the comprehensive ban on handguns. The lawsuit was initially dismissed, but later on appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed and found that the district’s ban violated the personal right to gun ownership guaranteed by the Second Amendment. The Supreme Court’s decision upholds that reversal. Hatch is pleased that the court took the opportunity to overturn such an obviously unconstitutional law, recognizing the commonsense understanding of the Constitution held by most Americans. “This decision was a nobrainer,” the senator said. “This is not a liberal or conservative American Red Cross Relief issue. Leading liberal law professors have argued for years that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to gun ownership. And ultimately, the millions of Americans who own guns today — and who have responsibly used them since the beginning of the republic — are the best testament to the wisdom of this decision. Contrary to the elitist views of some, Utahns cherish their rights to bear arms, not because they are bitter, but because of their commitment to their families, communities and Constitutional liberties.” Hatch hopes the high court’s ruling will also discourage other political communities from maintaining or establishing handgun bans. He plans on working with his colleagues to ensure that, consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling, the district’s citizens will soon be able to own firearms for personal protection. The American Red Cross response to massive flooding across the Central United States combined with ongoing relief operations for tornadoes and other disasters since April 1 will cost the organization at least $30 million, according to latest estimates. The Red Cross is mounting its largest relief effort since the response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005, surpassing the Southern California wildfires of 2007. Six Utah volunteers are on the scene helping flood victims. Four volunteers are from the Salt Lake area and two from northern Utah. Jo-Lynn Hatch of Taylorsville just returned from Indiana where she armed the army of volunteers with their necessities and job descriptions. Bill Gully of Sandy returned from a vacation in Alaska to immediately get on a plane to head to Wisconsin to help disaster feeding efforts. Robin Graham of Murray and Kathleen Pennington of Syracuse are helping in Iowa. At the same time, a badly depleted Disaster Relief Fund means that the organization is borrowing funds to make up the difference between this cost and donations made to the fund. The American Red Cross is very happy to report to date, individuals and companies have graciously contributed more than $13 million in donations and pledges. But, the relief efforts to provide essential services will take more. If you’d like to support the Red Cross with this and future disaster responses are encouraged to call 1-800REDCROSS, or visit www.redcross.org to make a donation. The Red Cross is actively helping communities who are still dealing with flood waters through support like emergency sheltering, food, clean up supplies and emotional support. The Red Cross has also begun helping residents who are returning to their homes, connecting them to services to help get their lives back in order, while offering clean up kits, meals, snacks and water to thousands of people. Dangerous wildfires across Northern California are threatening homes and lives, and the Red Cross is also there sheltering and feeding evacuees and firefighters battling these potentially deadly fires. Nationwide, the Red Cross has dealt with 36 major disaster operations since April. The Red Cross Salt Lake Chapter’s CEO, Maxine Margaritis shared, “It is crucial to help displaced families who are returning to their flooded homes to get back on their feet and move forward with their shattered lives and the Red Cross needs everyone’s help to make that happen.” The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supports military members and their families; and supplies blood to more than 30 area hospitals. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross by calling (801)323-7000 or visit www.utahredcross.org Traveling With Your Pet: Safety Tips For Taking Your Pet on The Road Vacation season is underway and many dogs and cats will be joining their owners for a summer getaway. Although car trips can be stressful for many household pets, experts agree that they do not have to be if drivers take some simple precautions. “There are more than 135 million household dogs and cats in the nation,” said Ray Palermo, director of public relations for Response Insurance, a national car insurer. “They’re members of the family and when we take a vacation or just get away for the weekend, they are often along for the ride.” He cautioned that too many drivers do not take the time to prepare pets for long trips. Palermo suggested several ways to help ensure a safe driving experience. • If the pet is not used to car trips, try a few test runs to help acclimate them for the ride. Spending time in the car while parked and short drives to nearby destinations are an easy start. • Cats should be kept in a carrier and dogs should be held in a restraining harness. This will help stabilize your pet if there is a sudden movement or tweezers and alcohol for tick recrash. moval, cloth bandages and top• Feed your pet a little less ical antiseptic. than you would normally. Since More information on this and too much water can upset their other safety topics is available at stomachs on the road, limit www.response.com/safety. water by providing ice to chew on. Don’t forget to pack some toys and any other favorite items or bedding. • When traveling to places your pet is not familiar with it is particularly important to have a My name is Bryce Daley and I was raised in Heber. 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