• The US Supreme Court is set to hear arguments regarding Hawaii's handgun law restricting carry permissions on private property.
• The law allows only authorized individuals to carry firearms on private property open to the public.
• Several conservative justices expressed skepticism about the law's constitutionality during oral arguments.
• The case has garnered support from the Trump administration, arguing the law limits Second Amendment rights.
• Similar laws in California and other states face similar scrutiny from the court.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to review a challenge to a Hawaii law that restricts individuals with concealed-carry licenses from bringing handguns onto private property that is open to the public without the owner's express permission. The law mandates either verbal or written authorization and aims to find a balance between the right to bear arms and property owners' rights, according to Reuters.

During oral arguments, several conservative justices expressed skepticism about the law, suggesting that it relegates the Second Amendment to a "second-class status." Chief Justice John Roberts compared the Second Amendment to the First Amendment, questioning why a licensed gun owner would require permission to enter private property, unlike a candidate for public office who can approach voters' homes freely, as he pointed out during the discussions, according to CBS News.

The law was challenged by three Hawaii residents and supported by the Trump administration, which argued that it effectively nullifies the right to carry arms in public spaces, a sentiment echoed by other gun rights advocates. Hawaii's law limits carrying guns in multiple public contexts, sparking debates about the extent of gun rights versus property rights, as the plaintiffs highlighted the significant challenge it poses in everyday activities like stopping for gas or buying groceries, according to Los Angeles Times.

The Supreme Court's previous decisions on the Second Amendment have established that the right to bear arms extends beyond the home, notably in the landmark 2022 case New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. This has led to increased scrutiny of similar restrictive laws in states like California and Maryland, as the Court reviews the constitutionality of Hawaii's law in light of these past rulings, according to Reuters and CBS News.

While Hawaii's government posits that the law respects both gun rights and property owners' rights, the plaintiffs argue that it undermines the Second Amendment. The legal debate also highlights the tension between gun rights advocates and public safety advocates, making the case a critical examination of constitutional interpretations, according to Los Angeles Times.