October Term 2019 · Docket 18-280

Can a city ban carrying guns outside a home?

the sides that brought the case seek to strike down a city transport ban. The city argues the case is moot.

Official caption
New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. City of New York
Latest argument session
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Argued
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Official Transcript

Verified source milestones

  1. — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
  2. — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.

The arguments, in order

This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.

  1. Argument 1 ·

    What happened at the argument

    Mr. Clement argued the city transport ban is unconstitutional.

    Mr. Dearing argued the sides that brought the case framed the case narrowly.

    Mr. Wall argued text, history, and tradition condemn the ban.

    Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details

    Sources used for this argument breakdown

A citizen's guide to the whole case

What this case is about

This case tests whether a city can restrict carrying guns outside a home. the sides that brought the case want the ban struck down. The city wants the case dismissed as moot.

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How the case got here

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on December 2, 2019.

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What each side wants

the sides that brought the case want the court to declare the city transport ban unconstitutional.

The city wants the court to dismiss the case as moot.

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What each side says

the sides that brought the case argue text, history, and tradition condemn the city transport ban.

The city argues the sides that brought the case already received all requested relief.

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What the justices asked

Justice Sotomayor asked if the sides that brought the case must amend their complaint to seek damages.

Justice Ginsburg asked what remains of the case if the state blocks city enforcement.

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Why it matters

This dispute determines whether cities can restrict carrying guns outside a home. It defines the scope of Second Amendment rights in public spaces.

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What happens next

This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.

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Official Court provenance

Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page

Title and summary sources

Revision history

  1. Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·

    Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.

  2. Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·

    Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.

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