Derby keeps to the right on gun control

2nd Congressional District candidate Jill Derby.LAS VEGAS - Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Jill Derby issued a statement today praising the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down a Washington D.C. ban on handguns.

"Today's Supreme Court decision sets an important precedent in defense of the Second Amendment," said Derby. "Sensible gun laws must include respect for our Constitution and for gun ownership as a part of American culture. This ruling affirms that law-abiding citizens have a right to gun ownership for self-defense in the home and for hunting. Thanks to today's decision, that right will remain strong through the 21st century."

Derby, who is running against U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Reno) in a rematch of 2006, has made a point of establishing her "moderate-to-conservative" credentials, having received the endorsement of the Democrats' Blue Dog Coalition last month.

It is unclear if the Supreme Court's decision today will bring gun rights back to into play as a political issue in the 2008 campaign. Although Derby's support of the decision may inoculate her somewhat to charges of being an anti-gun liberal, her party's presumptive nominee, Ill. Sen. Barack Obama may face similar accusations. Obama voiced support for the ban in February.

Obama did not denounce the decision today, however, instead saying that he had consistently supported an individual right to bear arms.

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