To be, or not to be? That is the overall question in the debate over the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold its previous vote to ban the possession of handguns in Chicago.

They say the second amendment of the constitution only applies to federal laws. The National Rifle Association of course intends to continue their pursuit of an appeal.

So we ask, “What is the real answer to this situation?”

Many feel that the people carrying handguns at the current time have them illegally anyway. Others feel that their safety is put into jeopardy by those who are carrying handguns illegally; yet others feel if the law was upheld their safety would be of less concern.

What is truly put into question is the foundation upon which America has rested its justice since its beginning.

This country was founded upon beliefs, but at the current moment there stand two views of what those beliefs are.

In one point of view the constitution is the up-most law of the land and must be honored. Some also feel that the constitution represents a true vision of those beliefs that the founding fathers so transcribed into the constitution.

Others feel that the real beliefs the founding fathers intended to uphold was that of the right to a peaceful country and the yearning for a civilized society. Those same people feel that the constitution is a representation of that relevant to that time period only.

As America grows and flourishes, so should the laws in order to flower with America as a nation.

So, is the constitution still to be considered valid for the ever changing nation we live in; or should it be molded to fit a growing country such as an oversized tee shirt is meant to last as long is it stands the weathering of time and challenge?

The answer is still to be determined by the people.

The numbers teeter and totter near that fifty- fifty range, as do many civil rights situations. The Supreme Court, however, for now seems to have their minds made up.

Only time will reveal the effectiveness as the law turns to action at the hands of the officers on the streets everyday battling an ongoing effort to protect and uphold the right of every citizen to walk down the street with child in hand and not do so with fear.

Julian Russel is junior communications studies major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at