District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Definition

District of Columbia v. Heller was a landmark case decided by the Supreme Court in 2008. It held that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a firearm for self-defense within their home, striking down a D.C. law that banned handguns.

Related terms

Incorporation Doctrine: The principle that certain provisions of the Bill of Rights apply to state and local governments through the Fourteenth Amendment.

Strict Constructionism: An approach to interpreting the Constitution that emphasizes sticking closely to its original meaning and intentions.

Precedent: A legal decision or ruling that serves as an authoritative guide for future cases.