In a State of Emergency, the President Can Control Your Phone, Your TV, and Even Your Light Switches
Under a little-known regulation that dates back to the 1930s, the president has legal power over electronic transmissions.
Civil Liberties
Hyperlink Taxes? Meme Bans? E.U. Pushes Forward with Massively Terrible Copyright Regulations
The media are supposed to fight censorship. But to protect their financial interests, some European publishers want to mandate it.
Remembering Rushdie: 30 Years Ago, the Novelist Was Marked for Death by Ayatollah Khomeini
Jonathan Rauch says that the fatwa against The Satanic Verses author ushered in a new age of intolerance.
FCC Commissioner Wants to Ban E-Cigarette Ads, Because 'Public Interest'
Jessica Rosenworcel overlooks the statutory and constitutional obstacles to her plan.
One Year Later, Parkland Remains a Stunning Example of Police Incompetence
The mass shooting became a story about gun control. But it's also a story of incomprehensible government failure.
Last Year Saw 'Furthest-Reaching Attempt to Censor Online Speech' Since the 1990s, Say FOSTA Challengers
As the lawsuit against FOSTA hits appeals court, three essays about the law that everyone should read.
Another "Stop Talking About Him" Order -- Apparently Covering Even Republishing Police Report
"Defendant shall not post on the internet ... any information whatsoever regarding William Siegle."
Dark Law: Published Michigan Precedents on Protection Orders Missing from Westlaw
Three cases, including the two leading Michigan precedents on the First Amendment and restraining orders, are invisible to lawyers who rely on Westlaw. Lexis is also missing two of the three, but it's changing its policies to include them. And a federal statute is behind this.
Los Angeles Demanding That City Contractors Disclose Ties to the NRA
But the new ordinance violates the First Amendment, because it tends to deter (and deliberately so) association with an advocacy group.
'Sex Offenders Are Not Second-Class Citizens,' Says Judge While Nixing Alabama Rules on First Amendment Grounds
The decision rejects driver's licenses labeled "CRIMINAL SEX OFFENDER" and a broad demand for reports on internet use.
Zestimates, Estimates, and Opinions
Zillow has no obligation to take down (or revise) property value estimates to which the property owners object.
Facebook Is Calling the Cops on Sad Users: Reason Roundup
Plus: Rapper 21 Savage released from ICE custody and more details on how Homeland Security scammed immigrant students
Gitmo Preps for an Upgrade
This monument to the war on terror is still open, and it's costing taxpayers a fortune.
Here's Why Rand Paul Will Vote 'No' on AG Nominee William Barr
Paul cited Barr's past support for warrantless surveillance. He's right to be worried.
Lesson on Islam Didn't Violate Establishment Clause or Free Speech Clause
The Fourth Circuit rejects a challenge to a history class being shown a slide stating "Most [Muslims'] faith is stronger than the average [Christian's]," and being required to fill in the blanks in "There is no god but __ and Muhammad is the __ of Allah," as part of a worksheet on the "Five Pillars" of Islam.
Court Reverses Order That Barred Former Church Member from Saying Anything About Pastor
The order, entered under the Illinois Stalking No Contact Order Act, barred Chester Wilk from "communicating, publishing or communicating in any form any writing naming or regarding [Pastor Eric Flood], his family or any employee, staff or member of the congregation of South Park Church in Park Ridge."
London To Require GPS Trackers for Certain Residents Convicted of 'Knife Possession'
The latest in London Mayor Sadiq Khan's war on knife ownership.
San Francisco's Accidental Surveillance State and the Future of Privacy
Good intentions, private fears, and innovative entrepreneurs vying for government contracts are killing privacy in public places.
English Woman Reportedly Arrested, Partly for "Misgendering" Trans Activist, Ordered by Court to Stop
A judge "issued an interim injunction that bans [Kate Scottow] from posting any personal information about [Stephanie] Hayden on social media, 'referencing her as a man' or linking her to her 'former male identity.'"
Critiquing Israel Policy Worse Than White Nationalism, Says GOP Leader: Reason Roundup
Plus: Klobuchar and Warren join Democrat 2020 contest and AOC retracts "Green New Deal" draft.
The SUV That's About To Change Asset Forfeiture Rules Nationwide
The future of civil asset forfeiture law in the United States now revolves around a single Land Rover.
Right to Carry Guns in Public Headed for Ninth Circuit En Banc
A panel decision had said there is such a right to carry (though the state can decide whether people must carry openly or may carry concealed); the Ninth Circuit has just agreed to rehear the matter with an 11-judge panel.
Gun Control Is Still Dead: Paloma Heindorff on Homemade Firearms and Defense Distributed After Cody Wilson
After Cody Wilson was arrested on a sex crime charge, Heindorff took the helm at Defense Distributed. Now she's leading a massive free speech battle over the right to download a gun.
Sex-Trafficking Hysteria Is Eroding Privacy in Hotels, Airplanes, and More: Podcast
Elizabeth Nolan Brown talks about DHS's "Blue Campaign," which is pushing hotel and airline workers to call the feds if they suspect human trafficking.
Is Threatening To Publish Bezos' Nude/Lewd Pics Criminal Blackmail?
When is a threat to reveal something embarrassing blackmail, and when is it permissible? Plus a special Bill Cosby (but non-sexual-assault) connection.
Illinois Seeks Social Media Accounts of Gun Owners: Reason Roundup
Plus: Nancy Pelosi on the "Green New Deal"; John Boehner, cannabis lobbyist
Snowflake Senator Calls for Boycott of Concert Venue Over Poster That Shows Him Eating a Baby
Arkansas Sen. Jason Rapert learns what the Streisand Effect is all about.
Gun Decontrol, 1986 to Now
The latest map of state laws related to concealed carry, 1986 to 2019, is out -- and it's striking.
Nevada Fighters and the Right to Trash Talk
But the Nevada State Athletic Commission is considering restricting speech after taunts spark a brawl
Does the Second Amendment Secure a Right to Carry Guns in Most Public Places?
Another cert. petition asks the Supreme Court to resolve the circuit split on this question.
Alabama Cop 'Justified' in Killing Innocent Man, Says State Attorney General
The AG's report suggests Emantic Bradford was in the wrong for simply carrying a firearm.
California's ban on all new pistol models: Supreme Court amicus brief
Since 2013, California has outlawed new semiautomatic handguns
New Jersey Slaps Criminal Penalties on Gun Manufacturing Instructions
The state can't scrub gun manufacturing info from the internet, so they're trying to make distributing it a crime--First Amendment be damned.
San Francisco Facial Recognition Ban Proposed
It's a good idea that libertarians should applaud.
Hate Long TSA Lines? Hate Them Enough to Get Your Eye Scanned Instead?
The possibilities and perils of voluntary, privately operated biometric screening
Second Amendment Right Regained, Despite 20-Year-Old Conviction
Federal law treated the conviction -- for altering a motor vehicles department certificate that allowed the owner to have tinted windows on his car -- as a felony, because the maximum penalty was five years in prison. But state law treated it as a misdemeanor, and the defendant was sentenced only to a year's probation.
Are You a Woman Traveling Alone? Marriott Might Be Watching You.
How big hotel chains became arms of the surveillance state.
Another Blow for Fake News About Fake News: Reason Roundup
Plus: Author Zadie Smith talking cultural appropriation, and Budweiser versus Big Corn
Second and Fourth Amendments
"Since openly carrying a handgun is not only not unlawful [in Washington], but is an individual right protected by the federal and state constitutions [as the Washington Supreme Court had earlier held]," it cannot "be the basis, without more, for an investigative stop."
Bombshell Report About Americans Helping UAE Hack Phones Is a Warning Against Compromising Encryption
Hacking tools end up in the hands of some dangerous people. So, apparently, do our government hackers.
