Breaking News: Supreme Court rules U.S. Constitution gives individuals right to own guns

For the first time in United States history, the highest U.S. court in the country ruled on the specific language of the Second Amendment and the right of individuals to own guns.

In a 5-to-4 decision, the justices ruled Americans do have the right to own a personal gun, not just “a well regulated militia” as was the argument for some.

The Second Amendment states: 

“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

The decision was in response to a federal court case (District of Columbia v. Heller, No. 07-290) involving Washington DC’s strict gun laws making it nearly impossible to own a gun and going as far as telling people how to store their guns. 

According to the New York Times, “Dick Anthony Heller, a security guard who carries a handgun for his job protecting federal judiciary offices, challenged the District of Columbia’s law after his request for a license to keep his gun at home was rejected.”

For more info read the New York Times’ reporting on the ruling.