South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined 26 states and the Arizona Legislature in a legal effort urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review Wolford v. Lopez, a significant Second Amendment case originating from Hawaii. The collective action, led by Montana and Idaho, seeks to overturn a Ninth Circuit decision that imposes strict limitations on citizens’ rights to carry firearms in public areas.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized the importance of the case, stating, “This case is about ensuring the Second Amendment is not treated as a second-class right.” He expressed concern that Hawaii’s law could set a dangerous precedent by assuming carrying firearms in public is illegal unless explicitly permitted. Wilson argued this contradicts constitutional rights and could undermine public self-defense capabilities.
The focal point of the dispute is Hawaii’s Act 52, which restricts firearm carriage in designated “sensitive places” such as parks, beaches, and establishments serving alcohol. Additionally, it prohibits carrying on publicly accessible private property without explicit consent from property owners.
The amicus brief submitted by the coalition argues for the constitutional guarantee allowing law-abiding Americans to protect themselves. Attorney General Wilson added, “We cannot allow activist courts or overreaching legislatures to strip away those rights through creative legal maneuvers.”
The group urges the Supreme Court to accept the case and reverse the Ninth Circuit’s ruling, affirming that the Second Amendment includes the right to carry firearms publicly for lawful self-defense.
A copy of the amicus brief is available for public access.
