Guns At Home Extends To Carrying Them In Public Too – Supreme Court Appears To Suggest
Morgan Marietta, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Faced with the question “does the constitutional right to possess a gun extend outside the home?” the majority of the Supreme Court appears to be heading toward the answer “yes.”
On Nov. 3, 2012, justices heard oral arguments over New York’s restrictions on the carrying of firearms in public. Supreme Court watchers reported that conservative justices – who make up the bulk of the court – appeared to be of the view that the state’s laws contravene individuals’ right to self-defense outside of their own property.
“Why isn’t it good enough to say I live in a violent area, and I want to be able to defend myself?” Justice Brett Kavanaugh wondered.
The nine-member panel is far from the first to ponder such questions. The crux of the issue b...