Wolford v. Lopez · ¶18

The case was brought by Dick Heller, a resident of the District of Columbia whose story highlighted the reason why the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense was included in the Bill of Rights. Id., at 575. In light of the exceptionally high rate of violent crime in Washington, D. C., Heller wanted to keep a firearm in his home to defend himself in case of a burglary or home invasion. Id., at 575–576. He had all the hallmarks of a citizen who would handle a firearm safely and responsibly. He was a special D. C. police officer who provided security at the Thurgood Marshall Judiciary Building and was authorized under D. C. law to carry a handgun while on duty. Ibid. But the District, which made it virtually impossible for a resident to keep a handgun at home for self-defense, denied his application for a permit. Ibid. Unwilling to accept this plight, Heller sued in federal court to…

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