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Second Amendment not second-class right: AAG Dhillon vows stronger gun rights push
She cited the Supreme Court’s recent rulings affirming that states cannot restrict the ability of law-abiding citizens to carry commonly used firearms.
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Anushka Pathak - Mon, 08, Dec 2025
- 15:24 EST
- 14
Indian American Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon / Courtesy: Wikipedia
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has established a Second Amendment section within its Civil Rights Division, Indian American Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced on Dec. 8.
Announcing the development in a video statement on X, Dhillon said the move brings gun rights squarely into the department’s civil rights portfolio for the first time, reiterating that “the Second Amendment is not a second-class right.”
Also Read: DOJ reviewing H-1B-only job postings: AAG Dhillon
“This month, the Civil Rights Division has started a Second Amendment section, and I'm really excited about this,” she said, adding that it marks the first time the department will “be protecting and advancing our citizens' right to bear arms as part of our civil rights work.”
Great news — I’m excited to announce the new 2A section of @CivilRights!
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) December 8, 2025
The right of law-abiding American citizens to keep, bear, & use commonly known firearms is fundamental, and this @JusticeDept has a lot of 2A work planned, in addition to what we’ve already done! pic.twitter.com/L4Acg72k7A
Dhillon noted that although the amendment was ratified in 1791, “it has received less attention from the Supreme Court than some of our other important civil rights.” She said the court has now made clear “that states cannot interfere with the right of law-abiding citizens to carry commonly used firearms.”
She cited the Supreme Court’s recent rulings affirming that states cannot restrict the ability of law-abiding citizens to carry commonly used firearms, arguing that these decisions now set a baseline for enforcement.
She said the new section will focus on jurisdictions that impose multi-thousand-dollar application costs, prolonged permitting timelines, or bans on firearms covered under current precedent. According to Dhillon, these barriers disproportionately affect vulnerable groups who rely on self-defense, while not detracting from the role of law enforcement.
She also underscored the self-defense implications, saying, “a criminal is less likely to attack a house that is guarded by an armed citizen,” and that the right to bear arms “equalizes the ability of those of us, women, people with disabilities, and others who might otherwise be more vulnerable, to be able to protect ourselves.”
Dhillon said the initiative follows an executive order issued shortly after the start of the current administration, adding that more actions will roll out as the department ramps up enforcement efforts nationwide.
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