ABA Journal

Second Amendment

162 ABA Journal Second Amendment articles.

9th Circuit panel finds a constitutional right to openly carry a gun, distinguishes en banc decision

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday in a 2-1 decision that the Second Amendment protects the right to openly carry a gun for self-defense outside of the home.

The San…

Lawsuit settlement will allow online blueprints for 3D-printed guns

Beginning Aug. 1, a Texas company will be able to publish its blueprints to make guns from 3D printers without fear of reprisal by the U.S. State Department.

Defense Distributed…

Top court in Massachusetts strikes down stun gun ban, says licensing requirement would be OK

The highest court in Massachusetts followed the direction of the U.S. Supreme Court when it struck down a state ban on civilians owning stun guns on Tuesday.

How would you amend the Constitution?

This week, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens suggested that students and others who participated in last Saturday's March for Our Lives rallies should demand more than just gun-control legislation—they should demand that the Second Amendment be repealed.

Former Justice John Paul Stevens calls for repeal of the Second Amendment

Demonstrators who protested gun violence during the March For Our Lives rally last weekend should demand a repeal of the Second Amendment, according to retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

In a New York Times op-ed, Stevens said the Second Amendment was adopted amid a concern that a standing army might pose a threat to the security of the states.

Supreme Court holds guilty plea doesn’t bar Second Amendment challenge; Gorsuch joins Breyer opinion

A criminal defendant who pleads guilty doesn’t inherently waive the right to challenge the constitutionality of the statute under which he was convicted, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

Second Amendment is a ‘disfavored right’ in the Supreme Court, Thomas says in cert-denial dissent

Justice Clarence Thomas asserted the Second Amendment is “a disfavored right” in the U.S. Supreme Court when he dissented Tuesday from the denial of certiorari in a gun case.

Supreme Court denies cert in 2 cases upholding gun restrictions

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear challenges to gun restrictions in Maryland and Florida.

The court left in place decisions upholding an assault-weapons ban in Maryland and…

ABA president Bass offers sympathy in wake of Vegas shooting, backs changes to prevent gun deaths

ABA President Hilarie Bass has issued a statement mourning the innocent people who lost their lives in Las Vegas and expressing sympathy for those who were injured and traumatized by the attack.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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…

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.

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