Post-Bruen, gun control foes were popping champagne. Total victory! No more ‘may-issue’ permits, assault weapon bans in the crosshairs. Then Rahimi happened. Nuance alert: governments can still disarm threats—but only if history backs it up. Changes everything. Or does it?
Buckle up. The Supreme Court isn’t done eviscerating sloppy gun laws. But it’s no free-for-all.
Who Gets Disarmed Without a Fight?
Rahimi. The name rings bells. Zackey Rahimi—domestic abuser, under restraining order—shot up the place. Feds disarmed him under a law post-1994. Court said yes, temporarily, if you’re a credible threat. History nods: sureties from the founding era did the trick.
The court’s decision in Rahimi made clear that this reading was mistaken. If the government wishes to limit the ability of any “member[ ] of the political community” to keep or bear arms – even those who break the law or might be thought to be irresponsible – it must point to a historical tradition that justifies doing so.
That’s the money quote. “Law-abiding, responsible citizens”? Just descriptive fluff, not a carve-out. Everyone’s in “the people”—until proven dangerous.
Now Hemani. Pot smoker with a gun. Unlawful user? Disarmed forever? Court weighs in this term. History of disarming drunkards exists, but addicts? Sketchy. Government’s sweating.
Felons next. Non-violent ones, anyway. Justice Barrett’s side-eye: “Why disarm a tax evader forever?” Circuits split. Feds dodge cert like it’s hot. Clemency process? Smoke screen.
And 18-to-20-year-olds. Voting, serving, dying in wars— but no Glock? Courts say tough luck. Supreme Court holds petitions. GVR incoming post-Hemani? Bet on it.
Here’s my hot take, absent from Proctor’s piece: this mirrors Prohibition-era booze bans. Founders disarmed the rowdy temporarily, not lifetime. Felon bans? Modern overreach, like permanently stripping drunk drivers’ licenses. Prediction: non-violent felons win big by 2026. PR spin from ATF? Laughable—history’s not on your side, boys.
Short para for punch: Chaos reigns below.
What Arms Are Off-Limits?
Heller. The OG. Handguns? Protected. D.C.’s total ban? Toast. But what about AR-15s? Ghost guns? Suppressors?
Bruen opened the floodgates. No more interest-balancing. History or bust. California dreams of assault bans? Nightmares now. Courts striking ‘em left and right—Maryland, Illinois scrambling.
But watch the pivot. “Militia weapons only”? Heller laughed that off. Common arms for self-defense. Today? Semi-autos rule. Historical analogs? Militia muskets evolved too.
Lower courts fumble. Some grab 1791 long arms; others nod at 1900s machine guns (banned then). Inconsistent mess. Supreme Court? Silent so far. Certs piling up.
Dry humor break: If history’s the test, why not Bowie knives? Founding dads loved ‘em.
Unique angle: Corporate spin from gun grabbers—“public safety!”—ignores Founding intent. Parallel to today’s cancel culture: disarm dissenters first, ask history later.
Where Can You Carry?
Public carry? Bruen fixed that. “Shall-issue” or nothing. Sensitive places? Schools, jails—ok. But bars? Churches? Malls?
Post-Bruen, challenges everywhere. New York? Permit circus over. But “government buildings” balloon. History: courthouses yes, DMVs? No analog.
Circuit splits galore. Supreme Court yawns—for now. Maryland’s subway ban? Shot down. Airports? Dicey.
And parks. Who owns ‘em? Gov’t land taboo historically? Not quite. Tradition thin.
But here’s the rub—a sprawling thought: governments rewrite history on the fly, cherry-picking 20th-century “traditions” while ignoring self-defense core. It’s like saying cars need horse-quill licenses because Founding roads were dirt. Bold call: by 2025, “sensitive place” creep gets Bruen 2.0. Nationwide carry edges closer.
Look. States adapt—or die trying.
Why Does This Supreme Court Gun Control Drama Matter?
Everyone expected apocalypse for regs. Rahimi tempered it. But the trajectory? Pro-2A rocket. Lower courts, once hostile, now historians by force.
Feds’ strategy? Delay, deny cert, pray. Won’t last.
Impact on daily life. Young vets buy guns at 18. Ex-cons hunt again. ARs at ranges. Carry in parks.
Critique: Proctor nails the law, but misses the politics. Biden admin’s selective fights scream weakness. Hype their “successes”? Please.
And the people. “Political community” expands. No more subsets.
Wrapping the mess: History’s a strict boss. Gun controllers flunk.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rahimi let governments disarm anyone they want?
No—only temporary, for credible threats. History required.
Can felons own guns after non-violent convictions?
Courts increasingly say yes. Barrett leads the charge. SCOTUS looms.
Will 18-year-olds get gun rights?
Circuit split. Supreme Court likely yes—they’re “the people.”
