District of Columbia v. Heller
Coverage of District of Columbia v. Heller in the Nexus archive.
- Major appeals court declares New Jersey AR-15 ban unconstitutional in landmark Second Amendment ruling
A federal appeals court ruled New Jersey's ban on semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, expanding a prior lower court decision to cover all semiautomatic rifles. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, citing Supreme Court precedents like Heller and Bruen, concluded New Jersey failed to justify its restrictions as consistent with historical firearm regulation. The National Rifle Association hailed the decision as a 'historic victory' after years of litigation.
- The limits of the Second Amendment
The article examines unresolved questions about the Second Amendment, including definitions of 'the people' and 'Arms,' and explores legal limits on firearm possession in sensitive places and by certain individuals. It references key cases like District of Columbia v. Heller and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, highlighting court analyses of restrictions on guns in locations such as parks, bars, and treatment centers.
- Ninth Circuit once again considers California ban on rifle sales to young adults
The Ninth Circuit Court heard arguments over California's ban on selling semiautomatic centerfire rifles to 18- to 20-year-olds and its requirement for young adults to have a hunting license to purchase long guns. Plaintiffs, two gun retailers, argued the restrictions violate the Second Amendment, citing historical practices of arming young adults during the American Revolution and the Supreme Court's Heller decision.