What does the case McDonald v. Chicago extend to the states?

The case McDonald v. Chicago extends the right to bear arms to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause. This landmark decision built upon the Supreme Court's earlier ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller, which recognized an individual's right to possess a firearm for self-defense within the home, but that ruling applied only to federal jurisdictions. In McDonald v. Chicago, the Supreme Court affirmed that this right is a fundamental liberty and must also be respected by state and local governments.

The Court determined that the individual right to bear arms is deeply rooted in American history and tradition, making it applicable to the states. This extension of the Second Amendment ensures that individuals can exercise their right to bear arms without unnecessary interference from state laws.