The document discusses a Supreme Court case regarding the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes such as self-defense within the home. However, the government may still limit "dangerous and unusual weapons" that do not have reasonable relationships to the preservation of a well-regulated militia, such as sawed-off shotguns. The ruling affirmed that the core right protected by the Second Amendment is for law-abiding citizens to use arms in defense of hearth and home.

1. POL 309
Spring 2019

8.  Unanimous for United States
 Second Amendment does NOT guarantee the right
to keep and bear a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun.
 Possessing a sawed-off double barrel shotgun
does not have relationship to preservation or
efficiency of a well-regulated militia
 Second Amendment does not protect the
possession of such an instrument.
▪ Only includes military-style weapons

11.  Yes. By vote of 5–4, Court ruled for Heller.
 In general, the Second Amendment right is presumed to
be exercised individually and belongs to all Americans.
 Relationship between parts in Second Amendment
suggests that it is individuals who have right to carry
guns for defensive purposes.
 Court recognizes that Miller allows the government
to limit the use of “dangerous and unusual
weapons.

12. Dick Heller holding his approved DC gun permit.