[COMMENTARY] Calls to Expand the Supreme Court After Landmark Rulings Strengthen 2A, Endanger Citizens

The Supreme Court limited the ability to enforce Miranda rights while loosening restrictions on open carry laws in rulings Thursday that provoked a heated reaction from the left demanding an expansion of the conservative-heavy bench.

In the Miranda decision, SCOTUS said that suspects who are not warned about their right to remain silent cannot sue a police officer for damages under federal civil rights law even if the evidence was ultimately used against them in their criminal trial. The high court’s ruling will cut back on an individual’s protections against self-incrimination by barring the potential to obtain damages. It also means that the failure to administer the warning will not expose a law enforcement officer to potential damages in a civil lawsuit. It will not impact, however, the exclusion of such evidence at a criminal trial. SCOTUS clarified that while the Miranda warning protects a constitutional right, the warning itself is not a right that would trigger the ability to bring a civil lawsuit.

SCOTUS also struck down a New York State law requiring applicants for a license to carry a gun outside of their homes to have a “proper cause” to do so, saying the law “violated the Second Amendment.” The Supreme Court’s six conservative justices voted to invalidate the law, which has been in existence since 1911. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion in the case, known as New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen. Top Democrats condemned the decision and warned it will imperil public safety, starting with New York state’s Governor.

In response to this ruling, we are closely reviewing our options – including calling a special session of the legislature.

Just as we swiftly passed nation-leading gun reform legislation, I will continue to do everything in my power to keep New Yorkers safe from gun violence.

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 23, 2022

SCOTUS gun decision is out and gave the gun lobby just what it paid for when its dark money stacked the Court.

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) June 23, 2022

Twitter users angrily trended #ExpandTheCourt and #ExpandSCOTUS

There is nothing “civil” about a “civilization” that chooses violence as a legal solution for anything #ExpandSCOTUS pic.twitter.com/NuNSXhhj9y

— Tara Dublin ☮️🇺🇦🌻 (@taradublinrocks) June 23, 2022

Justice Alito snidely remarks “NY laws didn’t stop the Buffalo shooter!”

See Also

After Initially Stalling, Kim Guilfoyle Meets With January 6th Committee

Ignoring that AR-15 legalization led to a 300% increase in mass shootings—does Alito want to repeal all murder, rape, & assault laws b/c these crimes still happen despite them? Absurd logic.#ExpandTheCourt pic.twitter.com/35FbprfhKj

— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) June 23, 2022

I'm not sure how much more evidence we need (although we'll be getting more soon) that this Supreme Court is thoroughly corrupt and more justices must be added in order to counter the insanity of the Alito/Thomas majority.#ExpandSCOTUS

— Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) June 23, 2022