Outcome of Wolford v. Lopez (2026)

In a 6–3 decision on June 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s law that prohibited licensed concealed-carry permit holders from carrying handguns on private property open to the public unless the property owner gave express, affirmative consent

Key Facts

The law, Hawaii Act 52, effectively made many businesses, stores, restaurants, and other public-facing properties “presumptive gun-free zones” unless owners explicitly allowed firearms.

It was enacted after the Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which upheld the Second Amendment right to carry handguns outside the home for self-defense.

Plaintiffs, including licensed gun owners and advocacy groups, argued the law violated the Second and Fourteenth Amendments by severely restricting lawful carry in everyday public spaces.

Court’s Holding

Majority opinion (Justice Samuel Alito): The law violated the Second Amendment because it imposed restrictions on the right to carry handguns in public for self-defense. The Court held that the restrictions fell within the plain text of the Second Amendment and were presumptively unconstitutional.

The decision reversed the Ninth Circuit’s ruling and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Concurring opinion (Justice Amy Coney Barrett): Joined by Thomas and Gorsuch, emphasized the Court’s role in protecting the right to carry in public for self-defense.

Dissenting opinions (Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor): Argued the law was historically grounded and served legitimate public safety interests, and criticized the majority’s approach as undermining property rights and public safety.

Significance

The ruling invalidates Hawaii’s presumptive ban on firearms in many private, public-facing properties, potentially opening the door for similar laws in other states like California, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.

It reinforces the Court’s post-Bruen stance that burdens on the right to carry in public for self-defense are generally unconstitutional unless they have strong historical analogues.

Critics, including Justice Jackson, warned the decision reflects a “freewheeling policy project” that prioritizes gun rights over public safety.

In short, Wolford v. Lopez is a major Second Amendment decision that strikes down a state’s presumptive ban on firearms in public-facing private property, marking a significant expansion of the right to carry in public for self-defense.

You can find the Opinion of the Court here