Comprehensive archive of Supreme Court decisions interpreting the Second Amendment, from the 1939 Miller decision through the 2024 Rahimi ruling. Each case summary includes the holding, legal standards established, and impact on constitutional law.
554 U.S. 570 (2008)
Established that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms, unconnected to militia service, for traditionally lawful purposes including self-defense within the home.
561 U.S. 742 (2010)
Held that the Second Amendment right recognized in Heller is fully applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.
597 U.S. 1 (2022)
Established "text, history, and tradition" test for Second Amendment challenges and recognized right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.
602 U.S. ___ (2024)
Upheld federal prohibition on firearm possession by individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders as consistent with historical tradition.
577 U.S. 411 (2016)
Per curiam reversal holding that the Second Amendment extends to all bearable arms, even those not in existence at the founding.
307 U.S. 174 (1939)
Upheld National Firearms Act restrictions on short-barreled shotguns, finding no evidence such weapons had reasonable relationship to preservation of well-regulated militia.
The Supreme Court regularly considers Second Amendment cases. Recent cert petitions and pending cases address:
Check the Supreme Court docket for current cases.
| Period | Prevailing View | Key Case | Standard Applied |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939-2008 | Collective right/militia focus | Miller | Militia suitability |
| 2008-2022 | Individual right with limits | Heller | Interest balancing |
| 2022-Present | Historical tradition focus | Bruen | Text, history, tradition |
Each case summary provides:
All summaries are based on the Court's actual opinions, not commentary or interpretation. For legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.