Today, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen case. This case represents the first time in more than a decade that the high court has accepted a Second Amendment case for review. The last time this happened was the 2010 case of McDonald v. City of Chicago—an SAF case decided in June 2010.
With the addition last year of Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court now has a majority of constitutional jurists who will no longer treat the Second Amendment as “a constitutional orphan,” as once observed by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.
“This case was made possible by the Second Amendment Foundation‘s Supreme Court victory in McDonald v. City of Chicago that incorporated the Second Amendment to the states via the 14 th Amendment,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “SAF’s victory in that case built the foundation for this and other lawsuits against states and localities to be heard by the Supreme Court to protect and expand gun rights, and we are proud of that.”
The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen case is backed by the National Rifle Association. Speaking on the Court’s decision, Jason Ouimet, executive director of NRA-ILA said, “The Court rarely takes Second Amendment cases. Now it’s decided to hear one of the most critical Second Amendment issues. We’re confident that the Court will tell New York and the other states that our Second Amendment right to defend ourselves is fundamental, and doesn’t vanish when we leave our homes.”
In addition to ruling on this statute, this case will give the Supreme Court the opportunity to clarify the precedent that it has created surrounding the Second Amendment. It has been over a decade since the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to have a handgun in the home for self-defense in District of Columbia v. Heller. In 2010, the Court also ruled that the Second Amendment is a fundamental right that applies to the states in McDonald v. City of Chicago.
It is hard to overstate how important this case is. The decision will affect the laws in many states that currently restrict carrying a firearm outside of the home. NRA-ILA is working hard to defend your constitutional rights and prepared to argue this case in order to protect the rights of Americans everywhere.
Gottlieb said it is certain the current makeup of the high court has opened this important door. With the addition last year of Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court now has a majority of constitutional jurists who will no longer treat the Second Amendment as “a constitutional orphan,” as once observed by Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.
“The Second Amendment protects an individual right to not only keep arms, but to bear them,” Gottlieb observed.
“SAF has several right-to-carry cases filed which include challenges to restrictive laws in New Jersey, Maryland and New York City. A favorable ruling in this case will almost certainly impact those and other cases.
“The entire gun rights community has waited for many years for this news,” he added.
“A right that exists only in one’s home is not a right at all. We do not limit the right of free speech, or freedom of the press, or the practice of one’s religion, or the right to legal counsel just to someone’s residence. And ultimately, that’s what we’re talking about, constitutionally-protected fundamental rights.”
It is hard to overstate the important of this case, noted Ouimet. The decision will affect the laws in many states that currently restrict carrying a firearm outside of the home. The NRA-ILA is working hard to defend your constitutional rights and is prepared to argue this case to protect the rights of Americans everywhere.
How do you think the Supreme Court will rule on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen? How do you think this case will affect gun rights in America? Share your answers in the comment section.
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