Supreme Court weighs state limits on carrying guns on private property [View all]
Source: ABC News
January 20, 2026, 5:30 AM
Three years after affirming a constitutional right of Americans to carry a gun for self-defense, the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday will consider whether states can limit the carry of firearms on private property open to the public without first receiving the property owner’s consent.
The case involves a Hawaiian law and similar measures in four other states –- California, Maryland, New York and New Jersey –- where lawmakers set a strict "default rule" prohibiting the possession of handguns in privately-owned places where other members of the public might congregate, unless the owner affirmatively gives permission.
The laws govern locations such as stores, shopping malls, bars, restaurants, theaters, arenas, farms, and private beaches. It does not involve public property, which is subject to different rules.
"This law is extremely restrictive. It bans public carry in 96.4% of the publicly available land in the County of Maui," said Alan Beck, an attorney for three Maui residents and members of the Hawaii Firearms Coalition who are challenging the law.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-weighs-state-limits-carrying-guns-private/story?id=129293530
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