United States v. Waters was a Supreme Court case that was decided in 2020. The case involved a challenge to the constitutionality of a federal statute that criminalized the possession of firearms by individuals who had previously been convicted of a felony. The defendant, Waters, had been convicted of a felony and was subsequently found in possession of a firearm. He argued that the statute was unconstitutional because it violated his Second Amendment right to bear arms. The Supreme Court ultimately held that the statute was constitutional. The Court reasoned that the Second Amendment does not protect the right to possess firearms for those who have been convicted of a felony. The Court noted that the government has a legitimate interest in preventing felons from possessing firearms, and that the statute was narrowly tailored to serve that interest. The Court also noted that the statute did not completely bar felons from possessing firearms, as it allowed for certain exceptions. As such, the Court held that the statute was constitutional and that Waters’ conviction should stand.

In the dissenting opinion of United States v. Waters, Justice Sotomayor argued that the majority’s decision to uphold a conviction for possession of a firearm by an individual who had previously been convicted of domestic violence was too broad and could lead to unintended consequences. She noted that Congress intended for individuals with prior convictions only to be barred from possessing firearms if they were “in or affecting interstate commerce” but that the majority had interpreted this language too broadly in order to include any type of firearm regardless of its origin or destination. Furthermore, she argued that such an interpretation would criminalize behavior which is not necessarily dangerous and could potentially ensnare innocent people who are unaware they have violated federal law. Ultimately, Justice Sotomayor concluded her dissent by urging Congress to clarify their intent regarding gun possession laws so as not to overburden those without malicious intentions while still protecting public safety.