The Right To Bear Arms Case Study

The right to bear arms dates back to the Revolutionary War when militias formed by citizens needed firearms to fight off the British crown. After Independence was won, it was decided by the Constitutional Convention that the citizens were permitted to keep their weapons so that the Federal Government could not become as powerful as the English Monarchy. In the Constitution it is stated, “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Firearms in the United States are forefront of political discussion, in the last century controversial restrictions have been placed on firearms, some even deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, data is available …show more content…
In two major instances states or cities have banned handguns in an effort to alleviate violence, and were challenged by United States citizens in a Supreme Court of Law. In the case Washington D.C. vs. Heller, the firearms control regulations act of 1975 banned handguns within Washington D.C., a Federal Enclave, because in the 1970’s the city was the murder capital of the United States. Handguns were not to be sold or possessed within the D.C. area, until in 2008 when Heller challenged the law after thirty three years. The case made its way to the Supreme Court and the court deemed the law unconstitutional, because it infringed on American citizen’s right to protect themselves with a firearm. This case only effected Federal Enclaves, but it called into question other entities jurisdiction over gun control. In the case McDonald vs. Chicago, McDonald challenged the city of Chicago and their right to ban handguns within the metro area. As in the Washington D.C. case, it made its way to the Supreme Court and they ruled that it was