U.S. Constitution News
The Daily Signal provides reporting and analysis on the U.S. Constitution, including court rulings, separation of powers, and the defense of individual rights.
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Meet the Colorado Woman Training Teachers to Use Guns to Stop School Violence
This fall, some Colorado teachers will return to school armed with knowledge—and guns. Laura Carno, author of “Government Ruins Nearly Everything: Reclaiming Social Issues from Uncivil Servants,” is bringing advanced firearms training to school teachers. “Can government stop school shooting[s]? The answer is no … How do we as a community keep our kids safer…Katrina Willis -
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UC Berkeley Tries to Dismiss Free Speech Lawsuit
The University of California, Berkeley is trying to dismiss a free speech lawsuit filed following the cancellation of Ann Coulter’s speech at the school in April. UC Berkeley attorneys insist the claims made by Young America’s Foundation and the Berkeley College Republicans are “moot,” according to a court document obtained by Campus Reform Friday. “The alleged restrictions…Rob Shimshock -
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How the Supreme Court Trampled on Private Property Rights in a Recent Decision
In last week’s decision in Murr v. Wisconsin, the Supreme Court upheld the Wisconsin State Court of Appeals’ ruling that two waterfront lots should be treated as a single unit in a “regulatory takings” case. In a blow to constitutionally guaranteed property rights, the decision denied a family just compensation for having the value of…Alden Abbott -
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Justice Thomas Calls Out the Supreme Court for Not Believing in the Second Amendment
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had stern words for his colleagues when the court declined to hear a case challenging California’s handgun laws, saying that the jurists do not understand the importance of self-defense. The case, supported by the National Rifle Association, involves San Diego resident Edward Peruta, who challenged his county’s refusal to grant…Thomas Phippen -
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A Liberal Democrat Student Explains Why He Advocates Free Speech at Colleges
Free speech on campuses—and the lack thereof—was the topic of a hearing on Tuesday of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Among the panelists was Zachary Wood, a 21-year-old student at Williams College and president of a group called Uncomfortable Learning, which attempts to expose students to a diversity of opinion by hosting speakers on campus. Opposition…Madison Laton -
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Free Speech Is Dying on the College Campus. How We Can Revive It.
Higher education rests on the free flow of ideas. Education requires that positions be held tentatively, tested by opposing arguments that are rationally considered, and evaluated. All colleges therefore must protect free speech. Public institutions must adhere to the various guarantees of the First Amendment. Too often, all of these fundamental principles have been under assault….Sen. Chuck Grassley -
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How Some State Politicians Are Using Government to Threaten Free Speech
When it comes to threatening the free speech rights of American citizens, progressives have largely been the culprits at the federal level. Yet increasingly, Republican state legislators have taken up this crusade. Last month, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez rightly vetoed a Republican-supported bill that would have forced nonprofits to disclose their supporters’ personal information, saying…Jeremy Cady -
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Portland Mayor’s Push to Curb Free Speech Wrong Response to Murders
In response to the terrible violence on Friday, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler wants to make the city a safe space, urging the federal government to block two controversial events slated to be held in the liberal enclave in early June. But curbing free speech isn’t the right response—and Wheeler’s decision to do so now suggests…Katrina Trinko -
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Conservatives Fight for Free Speech at a Far-Left College
There seems to be a serious disconnect nowadays between what conservatives are, and what they are accused of being. Campus leftists thoughtlessly dub conservatives “racists” and “homophobes,” and regularly fling those epithets on both conservative students and right-leaning speakers who come to campus. This misunderstanding of conservative values is deeply unfortunate, and it comes amid…Mary Clare Amselem -
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The Insane Punishment a School Gave a Teen Over a Water Gun
What is the appropriate punishment for a high school student found on campus in possession of a water gun? The Autauga County Board of Education, which covers communities near Montgomery, Alabama, decided that a 16-year-old girl with a water gun was in violation of the board’s firearms policy. So Sara Allena “Laney” Nichols received a…David Rosenthal -
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The University of Virginia’s Fight to Protect Free Speech
According to some observers, college campuses are facing a “free speech crisis.” From author Charles Murray, who faced violent protests at Middlebury College, to Manhattan Institute scholar Heather Mac Donald, who was shouted down by students at Claremont McKenna College, controversial free speech cases arise on college campuses almost weekly. But amid the chaos, some college and university…Kelsey Bolar -
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Gun Sales Have Fallen Since Obama Left Office
The gun industry may be headed for a slump after eight years of explosive growth under former President Barack Obama. From December through February, the number of federal background checks conducted each month declined from the same month a year ago, according to the Associated Press. While not an exact measure of total firearm sales,…Will Racke -
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Student Rights Group Begins Litigating ‘Free Speech Zones’
An organization dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of college students has helped file the first lawsuit as part of a new campaign to end “free speech zones” on college campuses. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE, helped Los Angeles Pierce College student Kevin Shaw file a lawsuit after he was told…Ashe Schow -
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Making Free Speech Great Again in a World of Safe Spaces
Free speech has become anything but. Instead of engaging in productive dialogue to understand different viewpoints, people are lining up to shut down conversation. Sadly, these days the exercise of “free speech” comes at a price—bodily harm, verbal abuse, etc. This trend is most evident on college campuses via the “safe space” movement. Students at…Beverly Hallberg -
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This Law Puts Homeowners at Risk of Property Rights Violations
Russ Caswell, the owner of Motel Caswell in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, didn’t ask his guests why they had come. He offered basic accommodations to those who came through his doors. Not all of the guests were good people. A few brought their drug habits with them, and in 30 instances (over a period of 17 years…Pat Nolan -
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Conservatives Score Victory for Free Speech at California University
A California university has changed its policies regarding free speech after being sued by Young America’s Foundation and conservative speaker Ben Shapiro. The lawsuit, which was filed by attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom, came after a Shapiro speaking event sponsored by Young America’s Foundation and organized by its affiliate organization, Young Americans for Freedom,…Caleb Ecarma -
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Nothing More Feminist Than Self-Defense, Gun Rights Advocate Says
A panel of women said that gun rights should be a feminist issue Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC. During the discussion, Antonia Okafor, a student at the University of Texas at Dallas and campus carry advocate, said gun rights—and the ability to independently protect yourself—are the very epitome of feminism. “How…Morgan Walker -
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Why the Assault on Campus Free Speech Threatens Our Republic
It’s no secret that free speech is increasingly under threat on U.S. college campuses. A number of University of Chicago activist groups, including U of C Resist and UChicago Socialists, demanded that the university rescind its offer for Corey Lewandowski to speak on campus. In a letter sent to campus officials, students felt that any dialogue…Roger Ream -
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Underreported: How Gun Silencers Became a Health Issue
Most people only know about silencers from what they see in the movies—a stealthy gun accessory that helps criminals more easily kill by suppressing the sound of the gunshot. But silencers, some say, is a misleading way to describe these firearm accessories. Why? Because they don’t actually silence the sound of a gunshot. In a…Kelsey Bolar