United States v. Rahimi
View Official PDFBelow are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in United States v. Rahimi and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).
Summary
A short, plain-English overview of United States v. Rahimi.
The Supreme Court reversed the Fifth Circuit's decision, holding that 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), which disarms individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders, is consistent with the Second Amendment. The Court found historical analogues in surety and going armed laws, which historically allowed disarming individuals posing a credible threat. The decision emphasizes that the Second Amendment permits regulations that align with historical principles of firearm regulation.
Holding
The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in United States v. Rahimi.
The Court held that an individual found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment.
Constitutional Concepts
These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in United States v. Rahimi. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.
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Why Procedural Due Process is relevant to United States v. Rahimi
The Court discusses the procedural protections involved in surety laws as a historical analogue to the current statute.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)These laws often offered the accused significant procedural protections.
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Why Judicial Review is relevant to United States v. Rahimi
The Court applies its precedent from Bruen to evaluate the constitutionality of the statute under the Second Amendment.
Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)Under our precedent, the appropriate analysis involves considering whether the challenged regulation is consistent with the principles that underpin the Nation's regulatory tradition.
Key Quotes
Short excerpts from the syllabus in United States v. Rahimi that support the summary and concepts above.
"Section 922(g)(8) survives Rahimi's challenge."
"The Second Amendment permits more than just regulations identical to those existing in 1791."
"When an individual poses a clear threat of physical violence to another, the threatening individual may be disarmed."