United States v Heller (June 26, 2008): In this case, the United States Supreme Court declared that the second amendment ensures that individuals had the right to possess firearms without being of service in a state militia, and use firearms for “traditionally lawful purposes, including self-defense within the home”. 

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (June 23, 2022): In this case, the right to own a gun for self defense in the home as well as outside the home was extended (as previously covered in United States v Heller). “[w]hen the Second Amendment’s plain text covers an individual’s conduct, the Constitution presumptively protects that conduct.” The panel of three judges in this case ruled that the federal law was an “outlier that our ancestors would never have accepted.” With this being said, it is important to remember that many of the so-called “ancestors” that developed these laws also had beliefs following some ideals that wouldn’t be deemed acceptable in today’s society. 

United States v Rahimi (June 8, 2022): The final and most recent case that is also connected to the recent court ruling involving Zachary Rahimi, 23-year-old from Kennedale, Texas. This excerpt directly from the supreme court case United States v Rahimi explains Rahimi’s illegal, and dangerous possession of a gun– not on one, but on several instances. “Between December 2020 and January 2021, Rahimi was involved in five shootings in and around Arlington, Texas. 1 On December 1, after selling narcotics to an individual, he fired multiple shots into that individual’s residence. The following day, Rahimi was involved in a car accident. He exited his vehicle, shot at the other driver, and fled the scene. He returned to the scene in a different vehicle and shot at the other driver’s car. On December 22, Rahimi shot at a constable’s vehicle. On January 7, Rahimi fired multiple shots in the air after his friend’s credit card was declined at a Whataburger restaurant.” The final ruling of this case was that domestic violence abusers (such as Rahimi), are “subject to a protective order [and have a] constitutional right to possess a firearm”.

More recent updates have shown the fifth circuit gun ruling has been accused of false reasoning. While these rulings can have negative effects on mental as well as physical health, it is important to focus on learning and expanding our knowledge about these issues– so that we can work towards a safer, more equal society. While these cases seem to address another large issue in American Society- the ongoing debate on gun control in a society with more school shootings than days in this year so far, the ramifications extend far past these debates. This is the reality: the majority of domestic homicide victims are women, killed by an ex, partner, or family member. From March 2017 to March 2019, 77% (274 victims) were female. With this in consideration, we can also address that the majority of suspects– 96% (263 out of 27), were male. Overall, females are more susceptible to physical, psychological, and emotional abuse. Domestic violence and sexism in the country are two significant issues we must eliminate– and taking steps to increase gun control (especially in efforts to protect women), can help in efforts to achieve this.