Supreme Court curtails gun ownership freedoms in ruling
In June 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States recognized the right to carry a weapon in public as a constitutional freedom. However, the bar for restrictions is set high. Notably, the court allows a ban on firearms for individuals who have a history of domestic violence - albeit temporarily.
The presiding Judge John Roberts argued that disarming those who pose a potential threat to another person's safety is in line with the Constitution. Roberts emphasized that gun laws have traditionally aimed to prevent people from utilizing weapons to endanger others.
Contrasting this, Dissenter Justice Clarence Thomas disagreed with the decision, asserting that states already have the authority to punish individuals who exploit weapons to endanger others.
Regulation based on historical practice
The Supreme Court took up a gun rights case for the first time since a contentious ruling in 2022. In June 2022, the court concluded that carrying weapons in public, not just possession, is a fundamental right. A new standard was also implemented for limitations on the Second Amendment right to bear arms. This standard necessitates that such restrictions be grounded in "the historical and cultural practices of the United States" from the late 18th century and the 19th century.
Using this landmark ruling, an extremist federal appeals court found the federal law unconstitutional in March of the previous year. This law forbids gun ownership for individuals with a history of domestic aggression. The judges claimed that there was no historical precedent for such a ban. This case specifically revolved around a man from Texas who - because of a court order - was prohibited from possessing weapons after assaulting his ex-girlfriend. During a search of his home, the police confiscated a pistol and a rifle.
The Justice Department maintains that only law-abiding citizens should be allowed to own weapons. The Solicitor General of the government, Elizabeth Prelogar, stated last year that disarming dangerous individuals aligns with the historical and cultural practices of the United States. The US President, Joe Biden, welcomed the Supreme Court's decision and expressed his ambition to implement stricter regulations. "Survivors of domestic violence and their families can remain confident in the safety provided by essential protective measures, as they have done for the past three decades," Biden stated.
Read also:
Despite the Supreme Court's ruling allowing individuals with a history of domestic violence to temporarily relinquish their right to carry firearms in public, international conversations around gun law reform continue. President Joe Biden has expressed his intention to implement stricter regulations, particularly in light of domestic violence cases. The USA's stance on gun laws is influenced by both constitutional protections and historical practices, as highlighted in recent Supreme Court decisions.
The Supreme Court's judgment in 2022 established a historical and cultural precedent for the implementation of gun restrictions, including those related to domestic violence. This ruling, however, has been challenged in some domestic courts, leading to debates over the constitutionality of certain gun laws in the USA.
The controversy surrounding gun law in the USA extends beyond its borders, with influential international figures advocating for stricter regulations to combat domestic violence and gun-related crimes. In recent discussions at the United Nations, President Biden emphasized the need for global collaboration to address these pressing issues, positioning the USA as a key player in the international arena of gun law reform.
