- Publication Date
- July 24, 2008
- Citation
- David B. Kopel
- Keywords
- District of Columbia v. Heller, Second Amendment, self-defense, natural law, inherent right
- Abstract
- The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in District of Columbia v. Heller constitutionalized the right of self-defense, and described self-defense as a natural, inherent right. Analysis of natural law in Heller shows why Justice Stevens' dissent is clearly incorrect, and illuminates a crucial weakness in Justice Breyer's dissent. The constitutional recognition of the natural law right of self-defense has important implications for American law, and for foreign and international law.
District of Columbia v. Heller, Second Amendment, self-defense, natural law, inherent right - Recommended Citation
- Kopel, David B. and Kopel, David B., The Natural Right of Self-Defense: Heller's Lesson for the World (April 17, 2009). Syracuse Law Review, Vol. 59, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1172255
