US Supreme Court Rules Americans Have Fundamental Right To Carry Guns In Public
Topics: US News
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: US News
The US Supreme Court has ruled that New York handgun owners will no longer need 'proper cause' for a licence to carry a concealed weapon.
How and where Americans are allowed to carry guns in the US was thrown into question amid the case of New York State Rifle and Pistol Association Inc vs Bruen.
The case questioned whether or not New York handgun owners could have their ability to carry their guns outside of their homes – in an act of self-defence – overthrown by the government under the Second Amendment.
Under a New York law – which has been in play for more than 100 years – handgun owners had to show 'proper cause' to gain a licence to carry a concealed weapon.
However, the US Supreme Court has just ruled against the law, resolving that it goes against the constitutional right to bear arms.
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The ruling was a majority of 6-3.
It was argued that the Second Amendment includes the right to carry a gun for self-defence outside of the home by two men whose applications for a licence to carry a concealed weapon were previously denied.
A gun-rights advocacy group also made an oral argument.
The court's conservatives – including Justice Clarence Thomas – ruled in favour of overriding the New York law.
Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer opposed.
They reflected on multiple recent shootings and examples of gun violence across the country in their counterargument.
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote: "Since the start of this year alone ... there have already been 277 reported mass shootings – an average of more than one per day."
He also referred to the use of guns against women in incidents of domestic violence.
"[A study] found that a woman is five times more likely to be killed by an abusive partner if that partner has access to a gun," he said.
"The consequences of gun violence are borne disproportionately by communities of color, and Black communities.
"Many states have tried to address some of the dangers of gun violence just described by passing laws that limit, in various ways, who may purchase, carry, or use firearms of different kinds.
"The court today severely burdens states’ efforts to do so," he continued.
In response to the ruling, New York Governor Kathy Hochul accused the Supreme Court of having 'recklessly struck down' the New York law.
She branded the move as 'outrageous' given the country is in 'a moment of national reckoning on gun violence'.
New York Congressman Richie Torres even accused the Supreme Court of having subsequently 'deepen[ed] the crisis of gun violence' in the city.
Justice Alito – in support of the abolishment of the law – argued that the Buffalo shooting was not prevented by the New York law.
Justice Alito also dismissed the arguments surrounding the use of guns in domestic disputes.
However, Congressman Torres pressed that the ruling has meant 'life [in] NYC could be radically reshaped – for the worse'.
The ruling has already faced extreme backlash online, with many outraged given the recent spate of shootings that have seen the loss of many lives, including the lives of children.
The ruling could also impact similar legislation in many other states.
Areas that could also subsequently have their gun laws reshaped include California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maryland.