When you think of American politics, gun violence and gun control may come to your mind. Gun violence/control in the U.S. have been controversial for many decades, if not for two centuries. Perhaps they have been contentious subjects since the nation’s founding. One question is: When—if ever—will gun violence end in the U.S.? A second question is: Who is winning, people in favor of gun control or people who want fewer restrictions on guns? A recent ruling from the Supreme Court may be setting a precedent for the future of America’s gun controversy—in favor of pro-gun supporters.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 vote that a New York law on gun regulation violated the Second Amendment. This Constitutional amendment deals with citizens’ right “to keep and bear arms.” The law in question stated that residents of New York must have a “good reason” to carry concealed firearms. Justice Clarence Thomas represented the concurring opinion (the concurring opinion is what one justice writes on behalf of all justices voting in favor of the winning ruling); Thomas wrote that all Americans—not just New Yorkers—have the right to carry concealed firearms for self-defense.
How does this ruling affect other rulings, though?
Many times, Supreme Court rulings set a precedent, a model, for the ways laws should be interpreted in lower courts. This latest Supreme Court ruling regarding the right to carry concealed weapons will set a precedent for how cases involving the Second Amendment should be handled. This decision will have a major influence on court battles in New Jersey, Maryland, California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. The ruling is especially relevant when considering recent news: There have been mass shootings in Texas, New York, and several other states.
However, the battle for gun control still doesn’t have a clear winner. President Joe Biden does not support the Supreme Court’s decision and is asking Congress to pass new gun-restricting laws. A law is currently being passed in the U.S. Senate that will expand background checks on people 21 and under who wish to buy guns. The bill also offers funding to states for emergency programs to seize weapons from people considered “highly dangerous” by a judge.
Justice Breyer, who dissented (disagreed with the ruling) said that gun violence had already killed thousands of people this year: “Since the start of this year alone, there have already been 277 reported mass shootings—an average of more than one per day,” he said. Unfortunately, this number has already grown to 293 mass shootings.
So, should we relax gun restrictions so that gun owners can protect themselves or should we tighten gun laws to stop mass shootings? Which side do you support?
Credit: https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 vote that a New York law on gun regulation violated the Second Amendment. This Constitutional amendment deals with citizens’ right “to keep and bear arms.” The law in question stated that residents of New York must have a “good reason” to carry concealed firearms. Justice Clarence Thomas represented the concurring opinion (the concurring opinion is what one justice writes on behalf of all justices voting in favor of the winning ruling); Thomas wrote that all Americans—not just New Yorkers—have the right to carry concealed firearms for self-defense.
How does this ruling affect other rulings, though?
Many times, Supreme Court rulings set a precedent, a model, for the ways laws should be interpreted in lower courts. This latest Supreme Court ruling regarding the right to carry concealed weapons will set a precedent for how cases involving the Second Amendment should be handled. This decision will have a major influence on court battles in New Jersey, Maryland, California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. The ruling is especially relevant when considering recent news: There have been mass shootings in Texas, New York, and several other states.
However, the battle for gun control still doesn’t have a clear winner. President Joe Biden does not support the Supreme Court’s decision and is asking Congress to pass new gun-restricting laws. A law is currently being passed in the U.S. Senate that will expand background checks on people 21 and under who wish to buy guns. The bill also offers funding to states for emergency programs to seize weapons from people considered “highly dangerous” by a judge.
Justice Breyer, who dissented (disagreed with the ruling) said that gun violence had already killed thousands of people this year: “Since the start of this year alone, there have already been 277 reported mass shootings—an average of more than one per day,” he said. Unfortunately, this number has already grown to 293 mass shootings.
So, should we relax gun restrictions so that gun owners can protect themselves or should we tighten gun laws to stop mass shootings? Which side do you support?
Credit: https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/
