Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/07pdf/07-290.pdf
Page Number: 157.0

44 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA v. HELLER 

BREYER, J., dissenting 

The argument about method, however, is by far the less 
important  argument  surrounding  today’s  decision.    Far 
more  important  are  the  unfortunate  consequences  that 
today’s decision is likely to spawn.  Not least of these, as I 
have said, is the fact that the decision threatens to throw 
into doubt the constitutionality of gun laws throughout the
United States.  I can find no sound legal basis for launch-
ing the courts on so formidable and potentially dangerous
a  mission.  In  my  view,  there  simply  is  no  untouchable
constitutional right guaranteed by the Second Amendment
to  keep  loaded  handguns  in  the  house  in  crime-ridden
urban areas. 

VI 

For these reasons, I conclude that the District’s measure 
is a proportionate, not a disproportionate, response to the
compelling concerns that led the District to adopt it.  And, 
for  these  reasons  as  well  as  the  independently  sufficient
reasons  set  forth  by  JUSTICE  STEVENS,  I  would  find  the 
District’s  measure  consistent  with  the  Second  Amend-
ment’s demands. 

With respect, I dissent.