What ruling did the Supreme Court make in District of Columbia v. Heller?

The ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller affirmed an individual's right to possess a firearm for self-defense within the home, which was a pivotal interpretation of the Second Amendment. The Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to own a handgun for personal use, marking the first time the Court explicitly recognized an individual right to bear arms separate from military service.

The decision clarified that the right to keep and bear arms is not contingent upon service in a state militia and emphasized that this right is fundamental to the concept of self-defense, in line with the broader principles of personal liberty. This case set a significant legal precedent in gun rights jurisprudence, impacting subsequent regulations and court decisions regarding firearms and individual rights.