Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii gun restrictions

The Supreme Court struck down a Hawaii gun restrictions law on Thursday. The decision received praise from gun rights advocates while states with similar laws called it a blow to public safety. In a 6-3 vote, the high court said it was unconstitutional for a Hawaii law to prohibit concealed-carry permit holders from bringing firearms onto private property that is open to the public, such as gas stations, restaurants, or shops, by default. Under the law, gun owners could only bring the weapons if they received permission from the property’s owner.

The Supreme Court said the law violated the Second Amendment’s guarantee of the right to bear arms. The decision not only affects Hawaii, but also California, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey, which have comparable laws.

What was the court’s reasoning? Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, said Hawaii’s law hobbled the Second Amendment’s protections. He said the law unquestionably imposed what he characterized as a significant burden on the right to bear arms.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson argued in a dissenting opinion that the case did not center on gun rights, but rather property rights. Jackson said there was no constitutional right to enter private property without permission.

What reactions has the ruling received?

• U.S. acting Attorney General Todd Blanch said the ruling was a massive victory for the Second Amendment. The Department of Justice previously submitted an amicus brief in support of gun owners.

• The conservative organization Advancing American Freedom said private businesses can still exclude armed patrons if they choose to do so, but Hawaii can no longer preemptively make that decision for businesses.

• Maryland and New Jersey’s attorneys general said the decision will make it harder for businesses to keep their customers safe.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on the Supreme Court’s ruling that marijuana use doesn’t erase gun rights.