Second Amendment

Facing criticism over Charlottesville suit, ACLU won’t defend armed protesters

The American Civil Liberties Union won’t defend hate groups’ right to march when they seek to bring firearms with them, a position announced in the wake of last Saturday's violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Aug 18, 2017 9:44 AM CDT

Gun violence restraining orders backed by House of Delegates

Updated: A measure addressing gun violence won approval from the ABA House of Delegates on Tuesday, despite some opposition by those who raised due process issues.

Aug 15, 2017 9:25 AM CDT

Linda Oatman High wins ABA Journal/Ross Short Legal Fiction Contest

During her 35-year career as a writer, Linda Oatman High has written more than 20 books for children and young adults, three plays and numerous feature articles and news stories. But she had never written a legal-themed piece until she saw a call for submissions to the ABA Journal/Ross Writing…

Jul 26, 2017 3:47 PM CDT

Restrictive concealed carry law violates Second Amendment, DC Circuit rules

A federal appeals court has blocked a Washington, D.C., gun law that that restricts concealed carry permits to those who can show a good reason for carrying firearms.

Jul 26, 2017 8:40 AM CDT

Gun control debate revived in wake of congressman being shot

In the wake of Wednesday morning’s shooting of Louisiana Republican Congressman Steve Scalise, fellow GOP members argue that if victims had carried firearms then they could have defended themselves. Gun control initiatives at the federal level have been so stymied by special interests in recent years that Democrats in Congress…

Jun 15, 2017 1:48 PM CDT

Gun War: Congress has been silent on guns, but states haven’t, so change is on the horizon

Almost half of Americans live in states that have had new and restrictive gun control laws enacted since the slaughter of elementary school children at Sandy Hook. But other states now allow guns in schools and on college campuses.

May 1, 2017 4:00 AM CDT

Military-style rifles aren’t protected by the Second Amendment, 4th Circuit rules

An en banc federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld Maryland’s ban on military-style assault rifles and large-capacity magazines. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that such weapons and magazines are not protected by the Second Amendment, report the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal (sub.…

Feb 22, 2017 11:00 AM CST

Supreme Court to decide whether man can challenge criminal law after he pleads guilty to violation

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to decide whether a defendant can challenge a criminal law barring guns near the U.S. Capitol Building after he pleaded guilty to its violation. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of Rodney Class, a retired veteran who brought lawfully owned guns…

Feb 22, 2017 8:00 AM CST

En banc appeals court strikes down ban on doctor gun discussions, with two majority opinions

An en banc federal appeals court on Thursday struck down a ban on doctors discussing guns with patients. The full Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Florida law banning the gun discussions is a content-based restriction that violates the First Amendment. The appeals court relayed its decision…

Feb 17, 2017 8:00 AM CST

7th Circuit strikes down ban on minors at gun ranges; SCOTUS shortlister wrote the opinion

A federal appeals court on Wednesday struck down restrictions on gun ranges in Chicago, including a categorical ban on minors at gun ranges. The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned three regulations enacted after the city’s complete ban on city gun ranges was struck down in 2011. Judge…

Jan 19, 2017 10:26 AM CST

Gun-control groups join BigLaw coalition; seven firms are on board so far

Seven well-known law firms have agreed to provide tens of millions of dollars in free legal services to gun-control groups, and several more firms are expected to join the effort in coming months. A New York Times DealBook article identifies the law firms as: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison;…

Dec 7, 2016 10:02 AM CST

Ballot initiative roundup: Marijuana, gun control and minimum wage measures pass

Proponents for legalized marijuana, increased minimum wage and stricter gun control provisions had a good Election Night. On Tuesday, voters in seven states approved various marijuana-related ballot initiatives. According to the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.), California, Massachusetts, Maine and Nevada will now allow recreational use of marijuana. Arkansas, Florida…

Nov 9, 2016 3:44 PM CST

Divided 6th Circuit says gun ban for the involuntarily committed could violate 2nd Amendment

A federal law that indefinitely bans gun ownership for people previously committed to mental health treatment facilities could violate the Second Amendment, an en banc federal appellate court found Thursday. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal opinion involves Clifford C. Tyler, a Michigan resident who in 2011 failed a…

Sep 16, 2016 1:15 PM CDT

Prohibiting firearm possession for medical marijuana users is reasonable, says 9th Circuit

Individuals with state-issued medical marijuana cards may have debilitating illnesses and be less likely to commit violent crimes, yet Congress reasonably concluded that they should not have access to guns because the use of illegal drugs can lead to irrational or unpredictable behavior, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals…

Sep 2, 2016 2:00 PM CDT

Texas AG sues county that banned guns at building with courthouse, county offices

Corrected: Waller County, Texas, must allow guns in areas of a courthouse building where county offices are located, according to a lawsuit filed this week by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The suit (PDF) says Waller County’s policy conflicts with the state’s open carry law, which has an exemption for…

Sep 1, 2016 11:24 AM CDT