On Thursday, the Supreme Court struck down a New York law that limited who could carry a concealed weapon in public.
Americans and Florida residents alike had a polarized reaction to the decision.
The law required people to demonstrate a need to carry a concealed weapon in public, something that Justice Clarence Thomas, speaking for the 6-3 majority said infringed on “an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home.”
Justice Stephen Breyer, writing a dissent joined by the other two liberal justices, expressed concern about the increase in gun violence across the country. “Since the start of this year alone (2022), there have already been 277 reported mass shootings—an average of more than one per day,“ Breyer wrote.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said it was “absolutely shocking” that the Supreme Court was taking away the state’s right to impose “reasonable gun restrictions”
Prominent Florida politicians and activists gave their opinion on the ruling as well.
Gun control activist David Hogg spoke out against the decision, saying that it was a direct consequence of President Trump “packing” the court with conservative justices.
Trump packed the court. Now we pay the price.
— David Hogg ☮️ (@davidhogg111) June 23, 2022
He went a step further in another tweet, saying that the Supreme Court rolled back “200 years” of jurisprudence and accused the Supreme Court of being “bought” by the National Rifle Association.
Just as Republicans, gun owners and Democrats are coming together to demand action on gun safety- SCOTUS just ruled for the opposite and rolled back +200 years of jurisprudence. Americans want domestic tranquility and a well regulated militia not a SCOTUS bought by the NRA.
— David Hogg ☮️ (@davidhogg111) June 23, 2022
Democratic Gubernatorial front-runner Charlie Crist did not specifically comment on the Supreme Court ruling, though he attacked Senators Marco Rubio, R-Fl. and Rick Scott, R-Fl. on Thursday morning for voting against gun control legislation making its way through Congress.
Rick Scott and Marco Rubio are against common-sense gun reform that has bipartisan support — and largely mirrors Florida’s law. Even Mitch McConnell voted to advance it.
Floridians need leaders who will fight to protect them and this is a disgrace.
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) June 23, 2022
Conservative politicians and activists celebrated the decision as a victory for Second Amendment rights.
Florida Representative Anthony Sabatini, R-Cocoa Beach, running for U.S Congress in Florida’s 7th District, highlighted the importance of gun rights.
Gun Rights are Human Rights
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) June 23, 2022
Author and school safety activist Andrew Pollack, whose daughter was a victim of the Parkland shooting, said the decision strengthened Second Amendment rights.
The Second Amendment is stronger today because President Trump gave us 3 Supreme Court justices.
— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) June 23, 2022
Conservative journalist Jack Posobiec hit back at liberal critics such as David Hogg, saying that it will be even better if Trump wins in 2024 and appoints more conservative Justices.
Wait til Trump gets 2 more Supreme Court appointments in his next term
— Roe Down Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) June 23, 2022
As usual, James Woods rules.
She can have eight armed guards. You? On your own… pic.twitter.com/wHYQnzzs6R
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) June 24, 2022
Additional stories you may want to read:
FL lawmaker to Biden: ‘Take our guns and you’ll learn why 2A was written’
Palm Beach Post school board article proves it’s not a newspaper
