In a summer news cycle that has been dominated by the Supreme Court, which is expected to overturn Roe vs. Wade, it is not surprising that the High Court has announced another newsworthy decision. The case involves New York regulations that required an individual to have “proper cause” in order to obtain a concealed carry permit.
In short, the government in New York had the authority to determine if each person individually has a good enough reason to carry a firearm.
"In this case, petitioners and respondents agree that ordinary, law-abiding citizens have a similar right to carry handguns publicly for their self-defense. We too agree, and now hold, consistent with Heller and McDonald, that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home," Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in the Court's opinion, referencing two previous gun cases. "Because the State of New York issues public-carry licenses only when an applicant demonstrates a special need for self-defense, we conclude that the State’s licensing regime violates the Constitution."
Justice Kavanaugh added that the ruling does not stop states from setting requirements for those who are attempting to obtain a concealed carry license, but that it “addresses only the unusual discretionary licensing regimes.”
Democrats and Republicans around the country weighed in, including Vice President Kamala Harris (D). She mentioned in a tweet
Today's Supreme Court ruling on guns is deeply troubling as it defies commonsense and the Constitution. Lives are at stake. Congress should pass the bipartisan gun safety proposal immediately and continue to do more to protect our communities.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 23, 2022
“Today's Supreme Court ruling on guns is deeply troubling as it defies commonsense and the Constitution. Lives are at stake. Congress should pass the bipartisan gun safety proposal immediately and continue to do more to protect our communities," stated Vice President Harris.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) added to the anti-gun outrage, saying that, “A radical #SCOTUS majority just made gun violence more likely to happen and sensible gun reforms harder to pass.”
Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), who is running as “Chief Demings” this election cycle against Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), declared that the ruling will “gut communities’ ability to protect” public places.
The Supreme Court’s decision today will gut communities’ ability to protect our schools, churches, grocery stores, movie theaters, nightclubs, and city streets.
Members of Congress need to show the basic courage to stand up to the gun lobby.
— Rep. Val Demings (@RepValDemings) June 23, 2022
“The Supreme Court’s decision today will gut communities’ ability to protect our schools, churches, grocery stores, movie theaters, nightclubs, and city streets. Members of Congress need to show the basic courage to stand up to the gun lobby," stated Rep. Demings.
However, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) went the opposite direction and supported the ruling.
Today's SCOTUS ruling is a massive win for our Republic and the Constitution that guides it. As Justice Thomas stated, the Second Amendment is NOT a second-class right, and this 6-3 ruling sets that in stone.
DON'T TREAD ON ME & MY RIGHT TO KEEP & BEAR ARMS https://t.co/axUvdLFgld
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) June 23, 2022
“Today's SCOTUS ruling is a massive win for our Republic and the Constitution that guides it. As Justice Thomas stated, the Second Amendment is NOT a second-class right, and this 6-3 ruling sets that in stone. DON'T TREAD ON ME & MY RIGHT TO KEEP & BEAR ARMS," said Rep. Byron in defense of the decision.
The decision was 6-3. The “left-leaning judges” were the 3 dissenting votes.
