Ketanji Brown Jackson, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice-designate nominated by President Joe Biden, was seen clapping after New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made a comment about her country banning assault weapons. This took place whil Ardern was delivering a commencement speech for Harvard University graduates and Biden’s Supreme Court nominee was in attendance sitting to the back left of Ardern (our right).
Jackson, draped in what appears to be a black and white shirt with wiggly designs, can be seen in a video of the speech, clapping on the heels of Ardern’s comment about New Zealand’s ban on the particular weapons.
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Fox News noted: “In her address, Ardern lists off various achievements of her government in recent years, from the introduction of gay marriage to climate change commitments. She then points to one in particular: “Banning military-style semi-automatics and assault rifles.” As she says this, Jackson begins applauding – which is followed by a standing ovation from the audience at the elite university. Jackson’s applause comes as Democrats across the country have used recent shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York to renew calls for a U.S. ban on “assault” weapons, that are typically defined as semi-automatic weapons with certain features and attachments.”
The Senate voted, earlier this year, in favor of confirming Jackson to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. In favor of confirmation, only three Republican senators voted, which were Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
When Justice Stephen Breyer retires, Jackson is slated to fill the vacancy that will arise later this year. Jackson, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, is widely expected to be a left-leaning member of the court.
19 children and 2 teachers were killed as the result of a shooting perpetrated at a school in Uvalde, Texas, last week. 10 people were killed after a shooter opened fire at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, earlier in May, per report.
While Democrats have been pushing for gun control legislation, President Joe Biden called for a ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines during an address to the nation, specifically calling for a return to the ban that was approved in 1994 but expired a decade later.
The president suggested raising the age to buy such weapons to 21 years old if a ban cannot be achieved.
“The Second Amendment, like all other rights, is not absolute,” said the President.
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed,” the Second Amendment states.
Second Amendment advocates would almost certainly mount legal challenges if Congress were to pass gun control legislation along those lines, and the issue could wind up before the Supreme Court.
In this case, Jackson would have a role in deciding the case once she is seated on the high court and many critics don’t believe her out of court behavior is suitable for the Supreme Court decision making.
The laws Arden mention date back to 2019 and were set in place after a massacre, as reported by Reuters: “On 15 March our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too. We are announcing action today on behalf of all New Zealanders to strengthen our gun laws and make our country a safer place,” Ardern told a news conference.
“All semi-automatic weapons used during the terrorist attack on Friday 15 March will be banned.”
Ardern said she expected the new laws to be in place by April 11 and a buy-back scheme costing up to NZ$200 million ($138 million) would be established for banned weapons. All military style semi-automatics (MSSA) and assault rifles would be banned, along with parts used to convert weapons into MSSAs and all high-capacity magazines.“