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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- News
High-Profile Dispute Between Farm, Green Group Yields Property Rights Bill
After clashing with a non-profit land trust over the terms and conditions of a conservation easement that sits on her property, Martha Boneta saw no alternative to litigation. That’s because the Piedmont Environmental Council, which serves as a co-holder of the easement, had overstepped its authority to the point where it was trespassing across her…Kevin Mooney -
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Gun Shop Owner Says This State’s Restrictive Law ‘Killed Us in Terms of Business’
A gun and ammo shop in New York blames the state’s strict regulations on firearms for bringing an end to its business. “The SAFE Act killed us in terms of business,” Kordell Jackson, owner of Jackson Guns and Ammo Shop in Henrietta, N.Y., told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. “It was very difficult with sales and regulations…Ben Smith -
- Opinion
Firearms Industry Concerned About What Obama Will Do in Next Two Years
The SHOT Show — Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show — is the world’s largest gun show. Held annually in Las Vegas, it’s intended for those in the trade, not the general public. Walking its almost 16 miles of booths is a near-marathon feat of endurance, and every mile exhibits more firepower than all the…Ted Bromund -
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How Gun Owners Reacted to a Lawmaker’s Gun Control Pitch
MONTPELIER, Vt.—Speaking at a large pro-gun rally at the Vermont statehouse this week, state Sen. John Campbell told law-abiding Vermonters they would need to undergo criminal background checks before buying guns. “The major issue in this bill people are concerned with is expanding the background checks to all sales,” Campbell said. “There are people—probably 99.9…Bruce Parker -
- Opinion
What the Firearms Industry Thinks About the UN Arms Trade Treaty Signed By Obama Administration
LAS VEGAS—Supposedly, the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, which took effect Christmas Eve, is no big deal. But people who work in the business of manufacturing, importing and exporting firearms are concerned about the treaty and what it means for them and their industry. I talked to several last week at the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor…Ted Bromund -
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Ready, Aim, Fire: Choke Point Draws Heat From Gun Industry
LAS VEGAS—Banned from financial services that are essential to running a business, firearms sellers attending the world’s largest gun exhibition last week in Las Vegas spoke out against the government’s controversial program known as Operation Choke Point. “We continue to hear from dealers and others in our industry that suddenly, out of the blue, they…Kelsey Bolar -
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Democrat State Senator: Gun Background Checks Unnecessary in Vermont
An influential Democratic state senator says he’s unlikely to support a bill requiring background checks on gun purchases because he believes the checks are unnecessary and unconstitutional in Vermont. “I need to be convinced that Vermont needs a background check. I doubt it’s necessary,” state Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, told Vermont Watchdog. The statement echoes comments…Bruce Parker -
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Smoking Gun? Tape Recordings Reveal the Real Reason Bank Closed Gun Seller’s Account
Another gun seller says his firearms business was forced to shut down its bank account as a result of the government’s secretive initiative known as Operation Choke Point. This time, he’s offering audio recordings to prove it. Mike Schuetz is a former state employee who worked as a probation and parole officer for eight years…Kelsey Bolar -
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Gun Dealers Targeted by Operation Choke Point
Retailers in the gun industry told The Daily Signal’s Kelsey Harkness this week that they’re being discriminated against by payment processors that prohibit the use of their systems for online—and some in-store—sales of firearms, ammunition and certain accessories. The news prompted a full segment last night on Fox News’ “The Kelly File.” Watch the clip…Daily Signal Staff -
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Firearms Sellers Say They’re Being Choked Off From Payment Processors
Go to a gun show, and you won’t find many merchants using PayPal. You’ll also find few vendors using popular payment processors such as Square, Stripe and Spark Pay. That’s because some payment processors explicitly prohibit the use of their systems for online — and some in-store — sales of firearms, ammunition and certain accessories….Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
A Standing Ovation for Free Speech at the Golden Globes
Hollywood celebrities delivered a standing ovation in support of free speech this evening at the Golden Globe Awards. After show hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler began with a running theme that poked fun at Sony’s decision not to release “The Interview” in theaters because of threats from North Korea, things got a bit more…Ericka Andersen -
- News
Virginia Farmer’s Property Rights Dispute With Green Group Hits Another Snag
Virginia farmer Martha Boneta thought her long-running dispute with a local green group was coming to an end. But now, that light at the end of the tunnel has gone dark again. Efforts to reach a settlement with a local green group, the Piedmont Environmental Council, are on hold. The PEC currently oversees enforcement duties…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
The New Sneaky Tactic Gun Control Advocates Are Embracing
Gun control advocates are changing strategy. If you can’t get legislation infringing upon the Second Amendment with President Obama sitting in the White House and Harry Reid, D-Nev., running the Senate, the chances of getting much done under the new Republican-controlled Congress are next to nil. Add to that the fact that the majority of…Genevieve Wood -
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‘An Attack on Free Speech’: 12 Dead in Terror Assault of French Satirical Newspaper
UPDATE: French police say two suspects in Wednesday's terrorist attack remain on the run. In a statement on its website, French national police ask for information on the whereabouts of suspects Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi—brothers in their early 30s—warning that both could be armed and dangerous. A third suspect, Hamyd Mourad, 18, surrendered to police. The suspects…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
This Terrible Anti-Gun Treaty Goes Into Effect Christmas Eve
Today, on Christmas Eve, the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty takes effect, giving Americans a lump of coal in their stockings this holiday season. The ATT is a bad idea that keeps getting worse. In theory, it’s about stopping the sale of guns to terrorists and mass murderers. But in practice, it’s about preventing Israel from…Ted Bromund -
- News
Vermonters Using Social Media to ‘Expose’ Gun Control Agenda
How do ordinary Vermonters defend their constitutional rights against some of the most well-funded special-interest groups in the state? Facebook, of course. Vermonters seeking to preserve the state’s gun rights have taken to the Internet to combat a new threat to personal liberty. Gun Sense Vermont Exposed, a Facebook group launched in August, tracks nearly…Bruce Parker -
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Poll: More Americans Support Gun Rights than Gun Control
More Americans support gun rights over gun control, according to a newly released survey by the Pew Research Center. According to Pew, 52 percent of respondents answered that it is more important to “protect the right of Americans to own guns.” In contrast, 46 percent said that it is more important to “control gun ownership.” Pew…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
Jon Stewart Mocks Pelosi on Women’s Rights After She Doesn’t Let Pregnant Representative Vote by Proxy
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., refused to allow Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., to vote by proxy in the Democratic House leadership elections held this week–a decision that drew “The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart’s mockery on Tuesday night. Duckworth, who lost both her legs during her military service in the Irag War, is currently eight…Daily Signal Staff -
- Opinion
Proposed Water Rule Could Put ‘Property Rights of Every American Entirely at the Mercy’ of EPA
It seems incredible, but a single missing word could turn a water law into a government land grab so horrendous even a U.S. Supreme Court justice warned it would “put the property rights of every American entirely at the mercy of Environmental Protection Agency employees.” The missing word is “navigable.” The Obama administration is proposing…Ron Arnold -
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Outdoors Foundation’s Offer Could End Farmer’s Dispute With Green Group Over Property Rights
RICHMOND – Martha Boneta’s eight-year battle with an environmental group over a conservation easement on her farm in Virginia’s Hunt Country moved closer to resolution yesterday as another organization agreed to take over enforcement activities. Boneta and representatives of the Piedmont Environmental Council appeared at a meeting of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation’s board of trustees in…Kevin Mooney