On June 23, the Supreme Court decided that a New York law requiring a “proper cause”
to carry concealed firearms in public goes against the US Constitution. The decision – expected to also impact similar laws in other states – comes the same day as when the Senate passed new legislation narrowing the access to firearms on a federal level.
Across the US, the intense debate over the right to bear arms and gun violence have
split politicians and citizens apart. In just 2020, more than 45,000 Americans died from firearm-related injuries like suicides and homicides, yet civilians own more than 390 million guns in the US.
Justice Clarence Thomas, representing the six conservative judges that make up the
majority, ruled that citizens have a right to carry often used firearms in public for personal
defense.
Meanwhile, the three liberal judges – Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia
Sotomayor – disagreed with the majority opinion. President Joe Biden has also commented on this, saying he was “deeply disappointed” and that this ruling “contradicts both common sense and the constitution, and should trouble us all.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he would look at other methods to restrict gun
access, like banning firearms in specific locations or narrowing the application process for
acquiring firearms. “We cannot allow New York to become the wild, wild west,” he added.
These discussions come a month after the high-profile shootings at a grocery store in
Buffalo, New York, and at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Justice Breyer notes in his
dissent, “Since the start of this year alone, there have already been 277 reported mass
shootings – an average of more than one per day.”
On the same day as the ruling, the Senate passed the first gun control bill in almost 30
years by 65-33. The law increases background checks for gun buyers under 21 and provides
funding for state emergency programs that seize guns from people deemed dangerous by a
judge.
The bill must now pass the US House of Representatives and get President Biden’s
signature.
to carry concealed firearms in public goes against the US Constitution. The decision – expected to also impact similar laws in other states – comes the same day as when the Senate passed new legislation narrowing the access to firearms on a federal level.
Across the US, the intense debate over the right to bear arms and gun violence have
split politicians and citizens apart. In just 2020, more than 45,000 Americans died from firearm-related injuries like suicides and homicides, yet civilians own more than 390 million guns in the US.
Justice Clarence Thomas, representing the six conservative judges that make up the
majority, ruled that citizens have a right to carry often used firearms in public for personal
defense.
Meanwhile, the three liberal judges – Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia
Sotomayor – disagreed with the majority opinion. President Joe Biden has also commented on this, saying he was “deeply disappointed” and that this ruling “contradicts both common sense and the constitution, and should trouble us all.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he would look at other methods to restrict gun
access, like banning firearms in specific locations or narrowing the application process for
acquiring firearms. “We cannot allow New York to become the wild, wild west,” he added.
These discussions come a month after the high-profile shootings at a grocery store in
Buffalo, New York, and at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Justice Breyer notes in his
dissent, “Since the start of this year alone, there have already been 277 reported mass
shootings – an average of more than one per day.”
On the same day as the ruling, the Senate passed the first gun control bill in almost 30
years by 65-33. The law increases background checks for gun buyers under 21 and provides
funding for state emergency programs that seize guns from people deemed dangerous by a
judge.
The bill must now pass the US House of Representatives and get President Biden’s
signature.
