Fix NICS Bill Would Help Block Gun Sales to Peaceful People
The measure, which Congress may be on the verge of enacting, aims to improve enforcement of misguided rules.
Civil Liberties
D.C.'s Cache of Seized Illegal Guns Has Antique Rifles and Paintball Guns, But Few Bump-Stock-Compatible Weapons
I sent a FOIA request to the lab that processes guns seized by police in the nation's capital. Here's what I found out.
YouTube Comedian Convicted of Hate Crime for Making Dumb Video of a Dog Saluting Hitler
"Keep fighting for free speech, the great meme war," said Count Dankula.
Mississippi Bans Abortions After 15 Weeks, Faces First Legal Challenge Today
The nation's most-restrictive law is passed amidst a long-term decline in unwanted pregnancies.
Stossel: China's Freedom-Crushing 'Social Credit Score'
Americans should be wary of something similar.
Sex, Lies, and Constitutional Law: The Stormy Daniels Settlement Agreement
There is, it turns out, more to the Stormy Daniels Affair than meets the eye.
Court Allows Lawsuit Against Ideological Group for Discriminatory Rejection of Noncommercial Ad in Its Publication
The National Lawyers Guild refused to run a congratulatory advertisement submitted by an Israeli organization -- the organization is suing for discrimination in "public accommodations," and a New York court has let the case go forward.
The Justice Department Tries to Hammer Out What to Reveal from Carter Page's Surveillance Orders
Judge allows until summer for an unprecedented disclosure of warrant info from one of our most secretive courts.
Cambridge Analytica Was Doing Marketing, Not Black Magic
There's no reason for alarm (yet) over a Facebook data "breach" that benefited a firm with ties to Trump's campaign.
Some Pundits Say There's No Campus Free Speech 'Crisis.' Here's Why They're Wrong.
"Everything we think about the political correctness debate is wrong," says Vox's Matt Yglesias. Not exactly.
Trump's Anti-Speech Agenda Gets a Boost From Lefty Lawyers and Academics
Declining support for unfettered debate among politicians, academics, and the public doesn't bode well for the future of free speech.
Why We Shouldn't Give Special Credence to the Political Views of Young People and Victims
Recent events such as the student walkout to promote gun control raise the issue of how much credibility we should give to the political views of the young, and victims of crime. At least as a general rule, there is no reason to give those views any special credence.
No Fourth Amendment Protections Against Warrantless Cell Phone Searches at U.S. Border, Says Federal Court
"Border searches never require a warrant or probable cause."
5 Reasons Not to Feed the Russian Troll Hysteria
"If voters are making [stupid] decisions," says Senior Editor Jacob Sullum, "that's not the Russians' fault."
Will and Grace Botches the Gay Wedding Cake Fight
Nobody has the right to force bakers to print speech they hate. The debate is over what counts as speech.
Sign Referencing Civil War Hero Is Sexual Harassment, Says Massachusetts Lawmaker
Rep. Michelle DuBois wants to remove a statehouse sign that reads "General Hooker Entrance" because it is an affront to "women's dignity."
The Death of Stalin Director Armando Iannucci on Free Minds Under Soviet Rule
Under Stalin, people could be killed for carrying joke books about him. They did it anyway.
New Orleans Threatens Man with Jail for Mural Replicating Trump's Crass 'Grab Them by the Pussy' Comments
ACLU steps in to fight zoning regulations that appear to let officials veto art based on content.
City Threatens to Sue Online Gadfly for Complaining About Bad Smells
A web developer's First Amendment lawsuit says Sibley, Iowa, officials conspired to silence him.
Teacher on Leave After Questioning Whether School Would Let Pro-Life Students Walk Out, Too
"Would that be allowed by the administration?"
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel Refuses to Explain His Office's Failures to Congress
He "let the American people down and also the citizens of Florida," according to Sen. Chuck Grassley.
Controversial Law Professor's Comments on Affirmative Action Get Her Banned From Teaching First-Year Classes
For months, Penn Law has resisted calls to punish Amy Wax for her public comments on race. Yesterday, they caved.
The National School Walkout Reveals What Students Really Want: Safe Spaces
"It's about keeping people safe."
Facebook Bans Nationalist Anti-Muslim Group Britain First
"We do not do this lightly, but they have repeatedly posted content designed to incite animosity and hatred against minority groups."
Your Right to Free Speech, Like My Right to Self-Defense, Isn't Open to Debate
Rallying to call for restrictive laws is a whole lot easier than getting people to submit to them.
Don't Deny Young Adults the Right to Self-Defense
Raising the purchase age for guns won't stop mass shooters but will hurt law-abiding Americans.
Whittington on Offensive Speech in the Classroom
Princeton University's Keith Whittington explains why it is sometimes wise -- even necessary -- to expose students to potentially offensive material
Illinois Woman Sues Public Housing Authority That Says She Can't Have a Gun to Protect Herself from an Abusive Ex-Husband
Can public housing authorities strip you of your Second Amendment rights?
Today in History: SCOTUS Protects the Corporate Speech Rights of The New York Times
Marking the 54th anniversary of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
Challenge to Gun Ban in East St. Louis Public Housing
The anonymous plaintiff offers a pretty compelling factual story -- but the legal analysis is surprisingly unsettled.
Judge Tells Trump to Pretend to Listen to Twitter Haters
A lawsuit leads to a suggestion that the president engage in a kinder, gentler ignoring.
If You're Trying to Ban Guns, the Least You Could Do Is Learn the Basics
Sloppy thoughts, sloppy policies.
Government Wants Our Trust, but Where's the Accountability?
The foul ups by the Broward County Sheriff's Office don't inspire confidence.
President Trump To Meet with Video Game Makers Because…FBI Failed To Follow Up on Nikolas Cruz?
Politicians love to find scapegoats for mass shootings, especially if it lets them exonerate law enforcement and the social welfare state.
University of Miami Demands $7500 for Security for Free Speech Debate Involving Charles Murray [UPDATE: Dean's response added, post bumped up to reflect that]
That is what students at the University of Miami School of Law are reporting. [EARLIER UPDATE: The Dean tells me that things are more complicated than at first reported, and they're trying to see if things can be worked out; I hope to have more from the Dean in a few days.] [UPDATE 3/15: The University has agreed to pay the security fee.]
The Cato Institute's New Civil Rights/Police Accountability Initiative
Canvassing the legal problems and practical effects of qualified immunity from constitutional lawsuits
Some Progressives Targeting the First Amendment, Too
It's not just the Second Amendment in their crosshairs.
A Jailed Model Claims to Have Evidence of Russian Meddling in U.S. Elections. Her Story Is Even Weirder Than You Think.
Rybka has spent the past several years as a protegee of pickup artist and seduction coach Alex Lesley-and picked up a plausible claim to 2016 election dirt along the way.
Michigan Lawsuit Against Dick's Sporting Goods for Age Discrimination in Gun Sales
Michigan public accommodations law bans discrimination based on age by businesses open to the public, including retailers.
In Defense of 'Gunsplaining'
Pedantry may be annoying, but sloppy firearms legislation is a lot worse.
"Dressmakers, Bakers, and the Equality of Rights"
A very interesting piece by Stanford Prof. Michael McConnell on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case.
What Forfeiture Reforms? New Hampshire Police Bypass State Law, Keep Taking People's Stuff
The Department of Justice's loophole lets officials seize property without having to get a conviction.
Age Discrimination Suit Against Dick's Sporting Goods and Walmart for Refusing to Sell Rifle to 20-Year-Old
Oregon law generally bans discrimination in selling goods based on age, so this lawsuit looks like a winner.
