🇺🇸 United States
📜 Civil Law
2008
Landmark Case
Supreme Court
District of Columbia v. Heller
U.S. Supreme Court
Case Details
Case Summary
Held for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms independent of service in a state militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes.
Final Judgment / Ruling
5-4 ruling: the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess and carry firearms for traditionally lawful purposes such as self-defense.
Why This Case Matters
First Supreme Court ruling explicitly protecting individual gun rights under the Second Amendment.