The Supreme Court of the United States has upheld a federal law that prevents individuals subject to domestic-violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. This marks the Court’s first major Second Amendment decision since a 2022 ruling that expanded gun rights.
Constitution Permits Disarming the Dangerous
The Court stated that the Constitution allows for laws that disarm those deemed dangerous. This decision is a continuation of the 2022 ruling known as New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which required historical precedent for gun restrictions.
United States v. Rahimi Case Overview
In the case of United States v. Rahimi, the Court explored the scope of the new legal standard established by the Bruen decision. The case involved Zackey Rahimi, a Texas man with a history of domestic violence and gun-related offenses.
Rahimi’s Violent History
Zackey Rahimi, a drug dealer, assaulted his girlfriend and threatened her with a gun in 2019. Despite a restraining order, Rahimi continued to threaten others and engaged in public shootings. He was convicted and sentenced to over six years in prison.
Initial Court Rulings and Reversals
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit initially upheld the law disarming domestic abusers. However, in 2023, they reversed their decision following the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling, arguing that historical analogues did not support the disarmament law.
Supreme Court’s Current Stance
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling upheld the federal law, marking a step back from its broad endorsement of gun rights. This decision supports the Biden administration’s defense of federal gun restrictions and suggests that some longstanding gun laws may survive despite the 2022 expansion of gun rights.
Divisions Among Justices
The ruling highlighted divisions among the justices, with five separate concurring opinions. The 2022 decision in Bruen required historical analysis of gun restrictions, which influenced the Court’s considerations in the Rahimi case.
Remaining Decisions and Public Perception
The Supreme Court announced decisions in five cases, including the high-profile gun rights case. The term continues with several major rulings yet to be released. Public approval of the Court has declined due to ethics controversies and high-profile cases remaining unresolved late into the term.
Lucky Khan specializes in event and incident coverage, bringing his keen insights and comprehensive reporting to the forefront. With a knack for capturing the essence of major happenings, Lucky keeps his readers informed and engaged with the latest updates.