Remember a couple weeks ago, Barack Obama's infamous response to "rumors" that he plans "to take away your guns." The junior Illinois Senator said: "I believe in the Second Amendment... you have nothing to fear from an Obama administration... And by the way, here’s another thing you’ve got to understand. Even if I wanted to take it away, I couldn’t get it done. I don’t have the votes in Congress." As ABC News blogger Jake Tapper points out:That "I don't have the votes in Congress" line has ricocheted around the country… Let's take an extreme hypothetical to make a point. Can you imagine a candidate saying something egregious as: "Why, of course, I'm against legalizing the international child kidnapping trade. And by the way, … [Read more...]
Chalk One Up for the Constitution… and Independence Institute’s Dave Kopel
Once in awhile, the U.S. Supreme Court gets it right. Today that's the case with the 5-4 landmark ruling in DC v Heller that overturns the Washington, D.C., gun ban and sets the Second Amendment on the solid terrain intended by our nation's Founders. Around the Independence Institute, where research director Dave Kopel is one of the most renowned experts in the field, this makes for a busy day, and one of celebration. Dave authored a friendly brief to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the Institute and numerous law enforcement organizations, providing evidence of how citizens owning firearms is important to public safety. Dave also was one of three attorneys who sat at plaintiff Heller's table during the oral arguments before the … [Read more...]
Intellectual Ammunition for Colorado’s State and Local Candidates
Calling all Colorado candidates for state and county office! Want to catch up on your policy homework? The Independence Institute (where I work) is sponsoring an important event on June 11:Want your state legislative candidates to be intellectually well-armed for battle on the campaign trail? Then make sure he or she attends our candidates' briefing on Wednesday, June 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Independence Institute offices. We gather the state's leading free market experts on everything from TABOR, to transportation, to education, to property rights, to energy policy and more. Candidates will leave well-prepared to debate issues and field questions from friends and foes alike. This event is free of change and open to all state … [Read more...]
Friday Event at State Capitol to Highlight Second Amendment Rights
One month after the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case D.C. v. Heller was heard, the Republican Study Committee of Colorado is hosting a discussion tomorrow on the topic of Second Amendment rights:The Second Amendment Rearmed? How Washington, D.C. v. Heller Could Reaffirm the Right of Personal Self Protection in Colorado The Republican Study Committee of Colorado Ad Hoc Hearing Friday, April 18, 2008 1:00 - 3:00 Old Supreme Court Chambers Colorado State Capitol Confirmed Presenters: Dave Kopel, Research Director, Independence Institute Darin Goens, Colorado State Liaison, National Rifle Association Dudley Brown, Executive Director, National Association for Gun Rights and Rocky Mountain Gun Owners William Perry … [Read more...]
DC v Heller Argued Today
Oral arguments are being held today before the U.S. Supreme Court in the truly landmark DC v Heller case about the meaning of Second Amendment rights. My Independence Institute and blogging colleague - and writing mentor - David Kopel is sitting with the plaintiffs today as the case is made for gun ownership as a Constitutionally-recognized individual right. You can visit David's website to find a copy of the Institute's amicus brief filed with the high court. You also can head over to iVoices to tune into David's discussion of the case and his trip to Washington, DC, with Jon Caldara. For a quick and insightful summary of what DC v Heller is (and isn't) about, read Prof. Randy Barnett's column in today's Wall Street Journal. Also, … [Read more...]