Case Law Index
federal2008
Additional Highlights:Second AmendmentRight to Bear ArmsGun Control
District of Columbia v. Heller
United States Supreme Court
Key Holding
The Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm independent of service in a militia, and the District of Columbia's handgun ban violates that right.
Case Summary
District of Columbia v. Heller was the first Supreme Court case to hold that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms unconnected to militia service, striking down D.C.'s strict handgun prohibition.