In a historic decision today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. This allows states to ban abortions and deviates from the courts tradition of respecting legal precedents. As a result of this, dozens of states are expected to ban abortions within the coming days.
Justice Clarence Thomas said on Friday that the court should reconsider rulings relating to same-sex marriage and contraceptives in a similar manner. In a concurring opinion with today’s decision, Justice Thomas expressed that “in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.”
Today’s decision rescinds the previous ruling that protected women’s access to abortion up until 24 weeks of pregnancy. Also known as the point of viability, when the fetus can survive outside of the womb.
When referencing cases that guaranteed access to contraceptives and marriage equality, Thomas says that it’s the court’s duty to ‘correct the error’ established in those precedents.” Justice Thomas’ opinion is not a binding precedent, the majority decision overturning Roe v. Wade is. It is unclear how much support Thomas has for ending marriage equality among the other conservative justices.
The decision comes just one day after the Supreme Court struck down a New York law that required gun owners who carry concealed weapons in public to acquire a special permit. The state previously only allowed people with legitimate concerns for their safety to carry concealed weapons in public. Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that this infringed on people’s second amendment rights.