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.
-
What the Media, Politicians Get Wrong on Guns
In the aftermath of a series of horrible mass shootings across the country, there is a knee-jerk reaction to demonize gun owners and call for sweeping gun control legislation. But more often than not, those in the media and political classes calling for assault weapon bans and other gun control don’t understand the very things…Douglas Blair -
House Committee Discusses Gun Control
House Democrats are considering a series of gun control bills in response to the recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the shootings and brought witnesses—from parents to students to experts—to give testimony. The House Oversight Committee chair…Jarrett Stepman -
It’s Time to Move Past Gun Control Debate Loop
It’s almost impossible to think of anything as horrifying as a group of innocent young kids gunned down by a madman in their classroom. Just imagining the terror those kids faced is enough to break even the hardest of hearts. That’s the horror America is wrestling with today. What to do about it is a…Neil Patel -
The Missing Element in Debate About Guns
The heightened debate over gun violence following the massacre of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is leaving out one critical element. The debate starts at the wrong end. Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Thermodynamics states: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” While Newton’s laws…Cal Thomas -
Raising Red Flags on Federal Red Flag Gun Laws
Tragedies like those recently suffered in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, cause many Americans to voice an understandable—if misguided—urge for politicians to “just do something.” Many of the laws for which they reflexively call—such as universal background checks and bans on so-called assault weapons—suffer from a host of constitutional and practical defects. They wouldn’t…Amy Swearer -
If ‘No One Wants to Take Your Guns,’ Stop Saying Otherwise
Almost immediately after the 2017 Las Vegas shooting came the calls for “commonsense” gun control. The quest almost always begins with a reassurance that “no one wants to take away your guns.” Not everyone read the memo. Nelson Shields, founder of Handgun Control Inc., the organization that became the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence,…Larry Elder -
Gun Laws Won’t Fix a Problem of Culture and Spirit
Once again, the nation has witnessed a horrible, pointless act of violence, with innocent children the victims. And, once again, we hear from liberals that the answer is gun control. If we look at what generally characterizes the mindset of those—generally young men—who commit these acts, we see what generally characterizes the mindset that has…Star Parker -
The Trouble With Do-Somethingism on Guns
Before we even knew how the killer of 19 children and two adults at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, had obtained his guns, Sen. Chris Murphy was engaging in his customary performative emotionalism on the Senate floor, literally begging Republicans to “compromise.” Compromise on what exactly? Murphy has never once offered a single proposal…David Harsanyi -
Disinformation Board Paused, ‘Mary Poppins’ Director Out, but Biden Suppression of Free Speech Continues
After only a few weeks, the unconstitutional, correctly criticized federal Disinformation Governance Board has been “paused” and “Minister of Truth” Nina Jankowicz has resigned. It is appropriate to celebrate, but amid statements from the White House saying the “work is going to continue,” we should beware that some version of the board will quietly pop…Erin Dwinell -
11 Examples of Defensive Gun Use Dispel NYC Mayor’s Concerns on Public Carry
Any week now, the Supreme Court will render its decision in the pivotal Second Amendment case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, where a majority seems poised to strike down New York laws that effectively prohibit law-abiding citizens from carrying firearms in public for self-defense. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a…Amy Swearer -
UN Gun Control Program Runs Amok Again
More than two decades ago, the United Nations created a program to curb the trafficking of small arms. It’s done nothing but fire blanks. So now, the U.N. wants to control bullets. In 2001, the United Nations started the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light…Ted Bromund -
Unanimous Supreme Court Flies Flag for Free Speech in Case Against City of Boston
In a rare unanimous ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court secured a major victory for free speech. In the opinion in Shurtleff v. Boston, authored by retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, the court ruled that the city of Boston violated the Constitution when it prohibited a group from flying a Christian flag on a flagpole it…Sarah Parshall Perry -
Pennsylvania College Reins in Free Speech After Hillsdale Professor’s Talk Leaves Left Grumbling
Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, has given us yet another disturbing example of modern American colleges’ disdain for free speech. David Azerrad, a professor at Hillsdale College’s D.C. campus, gave a lecture at Saint Vincent on April 8, “Black Privilege and Racial Hysteria in Contemporary America,” and the speech rubbed Gary Quinlivan the wrong way. Quinlivan is co-director of…Douglas Blair -
These 10 Incidents Highlight Importance of Second Amendment for Women
Since 1987, the United States has recognized March as Women’s History Month to celebrate the vital role of women in American history. Unfortunately, far too often we find that the armed women of history are overlooked or completely forgotten, and the vital role of the Second Amendment in the lives of American women is ignored….Amy Swearer -
Meet Biden’s Second Nominee to Head ATF
President Joe Biden on Monday nominated Steve Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney in Ohio with a record of supporting gun control measures, to be director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Dettelbach has a history of backing gun control measures, promoting several firearms restrictions during an unsuccessful 2018 campaign to become Ohio’s…Harold Hutchison -
University of Virginia Cavalier Daily ‘Journalists’ Show Cavalier Disrespect for Free Speech
“Here we are again,” began an editorial in The Cavalier Daily, the University of Virginia’s student newspaper, urging censorship of a speaker at the university. Here we are again, indeed—yet another column adding to the national chorus decrying free speech, this time authored by the newspaper’s very own editorial board. At this point, sadly, pieces…Hans von Spakovsky -
Campus Free Speech Problems Come Down to Culture
We’ve all heard stories about university administrators cracking down on free speech. But free expression is suffering even without these enablers, and that should worry us. In a recent New York Times op-ed, University of Virginia senior Emma Camp powerfully defended freedom of expression as she described her own practice of self-censoring while on campus….Veronique de Rugy -
These 11 Defensive Uses of Guns Didn’t Target ‘Deer in Kevlar Vests,’ Mr. President
In his first State of the Union address, President Joe Biden doubled down on his administration’s efforts to undermine the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. Biden once again called on Congress to repeal a measure, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which ensures that groups advocating gun control can’t kneecap a lawful…Amy Swearer -
Free Speech Group Sues Texas School Over Policy It Says Violates Students’ First Amendment Rights
More than ever, free speech is under attack on college campuses across America. Spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for college is “a huge investment to live four years in fear and self-censorship,” says Cherise Trump, the executive director of Speech First, a membership organization that litigates on behalf of its members…Virginia Allen -
11 Examples of Defensive Gun Use Highlight Importance of Second Amendment in New Year
Just one month into 2022, it became clear that the new year hasn’t brought relief from the unprecedented spikes in violent crime in many cities since the summer of 2020. Take Philadelphia, for example. With 140 carjackings reported through the first five weeks of 2022, the city is well on pace to surpass last year’s…Amy Swearer