Court Decision · 2008

District of Columbia v. Heller

Constitution policy timeline

Date2008-06-26
Event typeCourt Decision
IssueConstitution

What changed

The Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm for lawful purposes such as self-defense in the home.

Why it mattered

Reshaped modern constitutional gun-rights litigation.

Historical context

The Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm for lawful purposes such as self-defense in the home.

Reshaped modern constitutional gun-rights litigation.

Primary source

District of Columbia v. Heller →