Share
News

Federal Court Rules Americans Have 'No Right to Carry Arms Openly in Public'

Share

A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that carrying guns in public is not a constitutional right protected by the Second Amendment.

Wednesday’s ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed a prior decision that struck down a Hawaii firearm restriction as unconstitutional.

“There is no right to carry arms openly in public; nor is any such right within the scope of the Second Amendment,” U.S. Circuit Court Judge Jay Bybee, wrote in the 215-page majority opinion. Bybee was appointed to the bench by former President George W. Bush in 2003.

“It remains as true today as it was centuries ago, that the mere presence of such weapons presents a terror to the public and that widespread carrying of handguns would strongly suggest that state and local governments have lost control of our public areas,” Bybee wrote.

The Hawaii law in question prevents residents from openly carrying firearms without a license, with the exception of police and armed forces members, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Trending:
KJP Panics, Hangs Up in Middle of Interview When Reporter Shows He Isn't a Democratic Party Propagandist

“Our review of more than 700 years of English and American legal history reveals a strong theme: government has the power to regulate arms in the public square,” Bybee wrote.

The majority researched English parliament weapons restrictions dating back to 1348 and cited multiple colonial laws restricting the possession of weapons in public spaces while making its decision, according to Courthouse News Service.

“The Second Amendment did not contradict the fundamental principle that the government assumes primary responsibility for defending persons who enter our public spaces,” Bybee wrote.

“The states do not violate the Second Amendment by asserting their longstanding English and American rights to prohibit certain weapons from entering those public spaces as means of providing ‘domestic Tranquility’ and forestalling ‘domestic Violence.’”

Do you agree with this ruling?

Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain wrote in the dissent that the right to “keep and bear arms” outlined in the Second Amendment “must include, at the least, the right to carry a firearm openly for self-defense.”

“Armed self-defense in public is at the very core of the Second Amendment right,” he wrote.

“At the risk of repeating myself (though it does, apparently, bear repeating), the Second Amendment safeguards both the right to keep a firearm and the right to bear — or to carry — that firearm.”

According to Courthouse News Service, George Young sued Hawaii in 2012 after the state denied his permit applications to carry a concealed or visible handgun in public.

Under Hawaiin law, permits are only granted to people who need to carry a gun for their job or have “reason to fear injury” to themselves or their property.

Related:
DOJ Announces National Red Flag Initiative - Check If Your State Is One of the 21 Involved

Young’s attorney Alan Beck said no court has gone as far as the 9th Circuit did in its opinion and they will take the issue to the Supreme Court.

“The Ninth Circuit’s opinion, which finds the Second Amendment right does not apply outside the home at all, contradicts the decisions of every federal circuit court in the country that has ruled on this issue,” Beck said in an email to the outlet.

“We will be seeking Supreme Court review in order to overturn the Ninth Circuit’s erroneous decision.”

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , , ,
Share
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




Conversation