Which case recognized an individual right to possess firearms independent of service in the military?

Which case recognized an individual right to possess firearms independent of service in the military?

• A. McDonald v. City of Chicago
• B. United States v. Lopez
• C. District of Columbia v. Heller
• D. United States v. Emerson

Answer: (C)

District of Columbia v. Heller establishes that the Second Amendment protects an individual, nonmilitia right to possess firearms for purposes like self-defense, and that this right exists independently of any service in the military. The decision struck down DC’s handgun ban and underscored that individuals have a personal right to possess firearms, not just a right connected to military service. While Heller focuses on the individual aspect, later cases like McDonald v. City of Chicago applied that interpretation to the states, showing the right’s applicability beyond federal enclaves. The other listed cases address different issues: United States v. Lopez concerns Congress’s reach under the Commerce Clause and does not recognize an individual gun-right framework, and United States v. Emerson involves domestic violence restrictions and does not establish the broad individual right to possess firearms independent of military service.

District of Columbia v. Heller establishes that the Second Amendment protects an individual, nonmilitia right to possess firearms for purposes like self-defense, and that this right exists independently of any service in the military. The decision struck down DC’s handgun ban and underscored that individuals have a personal right to possess firearms, not just a right connected to military service. While Heller focuses on the individual aspect, later cases like McDonald v. City of Chicago applied that interpretation to the states, showing the right’s applicability beyond federal enclaves. The other listed cases address different issues: United States v. Lopez concerns Congress’s reach under the Commerce Clause and does not recognize an individual gun-right framework, and United States v. Emerson involves domestic violence restrictions and does not establish the broad individual right to possess firearms independent of military service.