SCOTUS Second Amendment Hearing Signals Justices Think There Are Too Many Gun Control Laws

The Supreme Court took up its first major Second Amendment case in over a decade on Wednesday, and while the justices' questions suggested that New York's law is likely to be stricken down, they also signaled that they think gun control laws are excessive not only in that state but across the nation.

"This case signaled not only the court's growing hostility to restrictions on concealed carry—the subject matter of today's case—but reflects the view of some justices that there are too many gun control laws and that we need to start striking gun control laws down," UCLA law professor Adam Winkler told Newsweek.

"A significant portion of the gun safety movement's current agenda is likely to come under attack in the coming years," Winkler added. "I think bans on assault weapons and bans on high-capacity magazines are ripe for the new Supreme Court, with its newly invigorated Second Amendment, to strike down."

During Wednesday's oral arguments, several justices expressed skepticism on whether New York has the right to limit carrying guns in public.