Wolford v. Lopez

Wolford v. Lopez is a SCOTUS in the Classroom case. It was argued on January 20, 2026.

In this case, the Supreme Court will decide whether a Hawaii law that requires gun owners to get permission to carry firearms on private property open to the public infringes on the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Each term Street Law selects the most classroom-relevant, student-friendly cases as our SCOTUS in the Classroom cases. Teachers are encouraged to conduct moot courts the same week the case is argued, giving students the opportunity to follow discussion and analysis in the news and listen to or read a transcript of the actual oral arguments.

Case Issue:

Does the Second Amendment allow a state to require a property owner’s permission before someone can carry a firearm onto private property that is open to the public?

Case Briefs:

• Brief of Petitioner: Wolford
• Brief of Intervenor Respondent: Lopez

Oral Argument:

• Audio recording and transcript of the oral argument from the Supreme Court

Decision:

• Link to the opinion of the Court (to be posted after the decision is announced)

News Articles:

• Bloomberg Law by Greg Stohr, “Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Gun Case Testing Right to Carry,” (October 3, 2025) 
• Politico by Josh Gerstein, “Supreme Court takes up major gun rights case,” (October 3, 2025) 
• SCOTUSblog by Kelsey Dallas, “Second Amendment in the spotlight,” (November 13, 2025) 

How to Conduct a Moot Court or a Mini-Moot Court: 

• Classroom Guide to Moot Courts 
• Mini-Moot Court Demonstration Video