The issue focused on the political rights of members of a North Carolina law enforcement community. The federal court has long held that police officers are generally allowed to use deadly force in self-defense, and not just when they have no legal reason to do so.

N.C. Supreme Court Justice James N. Griswold said he was'stunned' by the court's decision, which had been expected.

'I am absolutely stunned,' he told WTVD-TV. '