US Supreme Court Set to Weigh In on Hawaii's Strict Gun Law Challenges
The US Supreme Court will convene on Tuesday to consider a challenge to Hawaii's stringent gun law, which prohibits carrying firearms on private property open to the public without explicit permission from the owner. The case, Wolford v Lopez, centers around three Maui residents with concealed-carry permits and a local gun group who are fighting against the state's ban on publicly carrying guns in such settings.
In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to carry concealed handguns in public. Since then, Hawaii has passed laws allowing more people to possess concealed firearms but restricting their use at so-called "sensitive places" like beaches and restaurants serving alcohol.
The plaintiffs claim that the state's law infringes upon their Second Amendment rights by limiting the ability to carry guns in public, even with a concealed-carry permit. However, Hawaii maintains that its restrictions were implemented to balance property owners' rights to control access on their premises with the individual right to bear arms.
The Supreme Court has decided to focus solely on one aspect of the law: the default rule governing private property open to the public. A similar approach is being taken by other states like California, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey.
Given the conservative lean of the Supreme Court, which boasts a six-three majority, it is likely that they will overturn Hawaii's ban on publicly carrying guns in sensitive settings. The implications of such a ruling would have far-reaching consequences for gun laws across the country.
The US Supreme Court will convene on Tuesday to consider a challenge to Hawaii's stringent gun law, which prohibits carrying firearms on private property open to the public without explicit permission from the owner. The case, Wolford v Lopez, centers around three Maui residents with concealed-carry permits and a local gun group who are fighting against the state's ban on publicly carrying guns in such settings.
In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v Bruen that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to carry concealed handguns in public. Since then, Hawaii has passed laws allowing more people to possess concealed firearms but restricting their use at so-called "sensitive places" like beaches and restaurants serving alcohol.
The plaintiffs claim that the state's law infringes upon their Second Amendment rights by limiting the ability to carry guns in public, even with a concealed-carry permit. However, Hawaii maintains that its restrictions were implemented to balance property owners' rights to control access on their premises with the individual right to bear arms.
The Supreme Court has decided to focus solely on one aspect of the law: the default rule governing private property open to the public. A similar approach is being taken by other states like California, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey.
Given the conservative lean of the Supreme Court, which boasts a six-three majority, it is likely that they will overturn Hawaii's ban on publicly carrying guns in sensitive settings. The implications of such a ruling would have far-reaching consequences for gun laws across the country.