‘Violates the Second Amendment’: Justice Thomas Lone Dissenter in Gun Case

Supreme Court shouldn’t have ruled in favor of a law that restricts gun ownership, justice says.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas poses for an official portrait at the East Conference Room of the Supreme Court building in Washington, on Oct. 7, 2022. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Justice Clarence Thomas on June 21 dissented in a major gun case, saying that a law that prohibits certain people from owning firearms violates the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment. The eight other justices sided with the government.

The law, 18 U. S. C. §922(g)(8), bars people who are subject to restraining orders against a partner, ex-partner, or the child of either from owning or possessing guns.