Story perspectives

Supreme Court Debates Gun Rights Amid Historical Context

1/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

During Supreme Court arguments in Wolford v. Lopez, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson cited post-Civil War Black Codes to support Hawaii's law restricting concealed carry on private property.
She said the historical context matters under the Bruen test.
Conservative justices Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Samuel Alito expressed astonishment at the comparison and questioned its relevance.
A decision is expected by late June and could affect U.S. gun rights.

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Story summary

During Supreme Court arguments in Wolford v. Lopez, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson cited post-Civil War Black Codes to support Hawaii's law restricting concealed carry on private property.
She said the historical context matters under the Bruen test.
Conservative justices Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Samuel Alito expressed astonishment at the comparison and questioned its relevance.
A decision is expected by late June and could affect U.S. gun rights.