According to the Ninth Cricuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, the 2nd Amendment does NOT guarantee the right carry a concealed weapon in public. This decision, made by an 11 judge 8th circuit panel, overturned a 2014 ruling by a smaller 9th circuit court, where residents sued over the denial of concelealed carry permits by a San Diego sheriff. The vote was 7-4.
California law prohibits people from carrying concealed weapons in public without such a permit. One must show good cause and good character and a certiificate from a training course to get one. The San Diego sheriff was even more stringent requiring a restraining order against possible attackers to show good cause.
Attorney for the residents bringing the suit, Paul Clement argued the self defence standard should be sufficient to grant a concealed carry permit, and any more violates the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.
The 9th circuit, which overseas 15 judicial districts, including Arizona, Alaska, Nevada, Hawaii, and California, ruled:
“Based on the overwhelming consensus of historical sources, we conclude that the protection of the Second Amendment – whatever the scope of that protection may be – simply does not extend to the carrying of concealed firearms in public by members of the general public.”
This is a major victory for gun control advocates, imposing major restrictions to concealed carry permits at the whim of local government. This is not unexpected given the location and character of the court.
On Thursday, shortly after the ruling was announced, Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted:
“Come and take it.”