The United States Supreme Court on Friday upheld a federal law that criminalizes the possession of guns by individuals under domestic violence restraining orders.
The decision marked a victory for President Joe Biden’s administration, as the justices opted not to expand firearm rights further following a significant increase in 2022.
In an 8-1 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, the Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s ruling that had struck down the 1994 law, arguing it violated the Second Amendment right to “keep and bear arms” in the U.S. Constitution.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans had determined that the law did not meet the strict standard set by the Supreme Court in 2022, which required gun laws to align with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation to comply with the Second Amendment.
The Biden administration justified the law as crucial for safeguarding public safety and protecting abuse victims, frequently women. It contended that the prohibition should remain intact due to the longstanding U.S. tradition of disarming individuals considered dangerous.
The administration underscored the heightened risks posed by firearms in domestic violence incidents and their perilous impact on law enforcement officers responding to such situations.
