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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- Opinion
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 -
- News
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 -
- Opinion
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 -
- Opinion
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 -
- Opinion
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 -
- Opinion
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 -
- Opinion
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 -
- Opinion
8 Problems With San Jose’s Gun Insurance Mandate and Gun Ownership Tax
Lawful gun ownership in San Jose, California, is about to become more expensive and onerous after the City Council passed a measure imposing two unprecedented burdens on the possession of firearms inside city limits. Beginning later this year, San Jose’s lawful gun owners will be required to maintain “a homeowner’s, renter’s, or gun liability insurance…Amy Swearer -
- News
‘Free Speech Advocates’ Panic Over Parents’ Push for More Curriculum Transparency
Teachers, unions, and “free speech advocates” argue that more school curriculum transparency would be equivalent to “educational gag orders,” experts told NBC News. State lawmakers in at least 12 states across the U.S. have introduced legislation to promote more school transparency by requiring teachers to post educational materials online, NBC News reported. Conservatives see more transparency…Kendall Tietz -
- Opinion
14 Examples of Defensive Gun Use at End of 2021
Americans legally bought more than 18.5 million firearms in 2021, down just slightly from 2020’s unprecedented surge in gun sales but still the second-highest year for sales on record. The available data seems to confirm that millions of these sales were to first-time gun owners, and that the gun-owning community is becoming increasingly diverse demographically….Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
So-Called Global Respect Act Disrespects Religious Liberty, Free Speech Rights
The House of Representatives is preparing to vote on the so-called Global Respect Act (HR 3485), which would impose sanctions on foreigners, including private citizens, who are determined to be responsible for human rights violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex individuals. While the concept sounds positive (after all, who wants to see anyone’s…Grace Melton -
- Opinion
These 12 Incidents of Defensive Gun Use Prove Armed Civilians Make Situations Safer
I testified earlier this month at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Chicago on underlying causes of the spikes in gun violence in that city and around the country. Although Sen. Dick Durbin’s interruptions of my opening statement stole the show in many respects, it shouldn’t be overlooked that the Illinois Democrat also solicited disparaging…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
10 More Examples of Defensive Gun Use That Undercut New York’s Logic on Restrictive Firearms Laws
The Supreme Court heard arguments earlier this month in a major Second Amendment case challenging New York’s restrictive framework for approving concealed carry permits. During the arguments in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood defended the fact that officials more strictly apply the discretionary framework to…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
Supreme Court Arguments in New York Gun Case Signal Uphill Battle to Defend Overly Restrictive Laws
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in the first significant Second Amendment case the court has taken up in over a decade. Although the high court is unlikely to render a decision in the case until next spring, the arguments in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen highlighted the many ways in…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
‘Free Speech’ Media Allies With Transgender Tyranny
The left claims their most urgent battle is to save democracy, but when it comes to any questioning of the LGBT lobby, they are the ones who sound like authoritarians. The overtones are unmistakable in the “news” coverage promoting “dozens” of employees walking out of Netflix in Los Angeles on Oct. 20 in protest. The…Tim Graham -
- Opinion
11 More Reasons Biden Administration Is Wrong About Onerous Gun Restrictions
The Biden administration last month filed a brief encouraging the Supreme Court to uphold New York City’s de facto ban preventing ordinary citizens from carrying firearms in public. The administration argued that an onerous “good cause” requirement—giving the city’s police department unmitigated discretion over citizens’ exercise of a fundamental right—is a perfectly reasonable regulation. This…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
11 Examples of Defensive Gun Use That Bid ‘Good Riddance’ to Biden’s ATF Nominee
President Joe Biden last week withdrew his nomination of prominent gun control activist David Chipman to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Biden’s move came after months of bipartisan concern over Chipman’s advocacy of severely restrictive gun control measures, his controversial statements appearing to mock new gun owners, and allegations of racist…Amy Swearer -
- News
President Withdraws Nomination of Former Agent to Head ATF
President Joe Biden on Thursday announced the withdrawal of his nomination of gun control activist David Chipman to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Biden’s move comes after Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, joined unified Republican opposition in the Senate to Chipman’s heading ATF. King caucuses with Senate Democrats. Some centrist Democrats also…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
12 Defensive Gun Uses Underscore Fallacy of Mexico’s Lawsuit
The Mexican government announced a lawsuit earlier this month against several high-profile U.S. gun manufacturers. Mexico accuses the U.S. companies of “negligent practices” it claims are driving gun violence in Mexico by arming drug cartels with “military grade weapons.” Put aside for a moment that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act likely…Amy Swearer -
- News
Senate Republicans Demand New Hearing for Biden ATF Nominee Over ‘Racist’ Remark
Every Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee signed a letter Thursday demanding a new hearing for President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives following allegations that the nominee made a racist comment while working at the agency around 2007. The Daily Caller News Foundation first reported June 22 that…Andrew Kerr