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Firearms Crimes

Hunter Biden could go to prison under an arbitrary gun law that his father steadfastly defends. | CBS Sunday Morning/Zuma Press/Newscom

Firearms Law

Without a Diversion Agreement, Hunter Biden Could Go to Prison Under an Arbitrary Gun Law His Dad Supports

Special Counsel David Weiss will face a Second Amendment challenge if he prosecutes the president's son for illegally buying a firearm.

Jacob Sullum | 8.16.2023 3:35 PM

The arbitrary ban on gun possession by drug users invites wildly uneven enforcement. | MIS Photography/pxfuel.com

Criminal Justice

The Arbitrary Ban on Gun Possession by Drug Users Invites Wildly Uneven Enforcement

Violators are rarely caught, while the unlucky few who face prosecution can go to prison for years.

Jacob Sullum | 8.16.2023 12:01 AM

The legally authorized charges against Donald Trump and Hunter Biden are not a reliable indicator of what justice requires. | Al Diaz/TNS/Newscom, Elder Ordonez/SplashNews/Newscom

Criminal Justice

The Legally Authorized Charges Against Donald Trump and Hunter Biden Don't Tell Us What Justice Requires

The nature of their conduct is a better indicator of the punishment they deserve.

Jacob Sullum | 8.2.2023 12:01 AM

A protestor outside President Donald Trump's arraignment |  Michele Eve Sandberg/Sipa USA/Newscom

Donald Trump

Should Donald Trump and Hunter Biden Both Be Prosecuted?

Plus: A listener question concerning drug decriminalization and social well-being

Matt Welch, Nick Gillespie, Peter Suderman, and Jacob Sullum | 7.31.2023 4:49 PM

Hunter Biden walks to a car while wearing a baseball cap | Mega/Newscom/APCAN/Newscom

Criminal Justice

How Hunter Biden's Plea Deal Fell Apart

A federal judge objected to two aspects of the agreement that seemed designed to shield Biden from the possibility that his father will lose reelection next year.

Jacob Sullum | 7.27.2023 3:10 PM

Hunter Biden could go to prison under an arbitrary gun law that his father steadfastly defends. | CBS Sunday Morning/Zuma Press/Newscom

Criminal Justice

Hunter Biden Shouldn't Go to Prison for Violating an Arbitrary Gun Law

A judge's questions about his plea deal should not obscure the point that the law he broke is unjust and arguably unconstitutional.

Jacob Sullum | 7.26.2023 2:50 PM

Murder

New Statistical Evidence Supports the "Minneapolis Effect" as an Explanation for Increases in Homicides

A recently published statistical analysis of homicide rates in New York City finds strong support for the hypothesis that de-policing resulting from the George Floyd protests caused the 2020 homicide spikes.

Paul Cassell |The Volokh Conspiracy | 7.17.2023 8:15 AM

Charles Foehner is seen walking backward up a driveway as Cody Gonzalez advances on him | YouTube

Criminal Justice

He's Facing Life in Prison for Owning Firearms Without a License

The government appears to agree that Charles Foehner shot a man in self-defense. He may spend decades behind bars anyway.

Billy Binion | 6.20.2023 4:16 PM

Like most mass shooters, the Allen, Texas, killer bought guns legally. | Chine Nouvelle/Sipa/Newscom

Gun Control

The Allen Massacre Underlines the False Promise of 'Universal Background Checks'

Mass shooters typically do not have disqualifying records, and restrictions on private gun sales are widely flouted.

Jacob Sullum | 5.10.2023 12:01 AM

President Joe Biden addresses a crowd in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, beneath a giant banner reading "SAFER AMERICA" | Aimee Dilger/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Gun Rights

If You Want Fewer Shootings, Ask Politicians To Back Off

It took years to break our society; we’ll be a long time making repairs.

J.D. Tuccille | 4.21.2023 7:00 AM

Footage from the set of 'Rust.' Actor and producer Alec Baldwin is shown behind a clapper which features the name of the film as well as cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed in a tragic on-set accident. | Santa Fe County Sheriff/MEGA / Newscom/GWGLA/Newscom

Guns

Prosecutor Drops Firearm Enhancement Against Alec Baldwin

After a tragic on-set accident, a district attorney used a law passed after the incident to threaten Baldwin with years in jail.

Joe Lancaster | 2.21.2023 1:00 PM

Picturing and naming shooters incentivizes fame-seeking shooters

Media

Are the Media Making Mass Shootings Worse?

Yes, according to a growing body of research, says criminologist Adam Lankford.

Zach Weissmueller | 9.16.2022 1:30 PM

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) at the Capitol on May 24. 2022 | Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

Gun Control

Tom Cotton, a Second Amendment Champion, Proposes a 5-Year Mandatory Minimum for Violating Arbitrary Gun Bans

Although the Arkansas senator claims to be targeting "violent felons," his draconian bill would affect many people who pose no threat.

Jacob Sullum | 6.10.2022 4:25 PM

Rochelle-Walensky-testifying-11-4-21-Newscom | Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA/Newscom

Crime

The New York Times Uses a CDC Report on Homicides As an Excuse To Attack Private Gun Ownership

The paper blames a "gun-buying spree" during the pandemic for the 2020 jump in murders.

Jacob Sullum | 5.11.2022 3:55 PM

zumaamericasthirty655994 | Bob Daemmrich/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Guns

ATF's New 'Ghost Gun' Rules Are as Clear as Mud

The ATF used a lot of words that invite lawsuits and leave industry insiders baffled.

J.D. Tuccille | 4.11.2022 10:09 PM

maria-lysenko-XWC5q9_Xp0o-unsplash | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@manunalys?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Maria Lysenko</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/gun-control?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Gun Control

San Jose's Insurance Requirement Is Privatized Gun Control

Politicians deputize the private sector to restrict rights protected from the government.

J.D. Tuccille | 1.31.2022 7:00 AM

zumaamericasthirtytwo966921 | Mark Hertzberg/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Guns

Kyle Rittenhouse Case Unlikely To Bring Tighter Gun Laws

Restrictions have little chance of moving beyond political theater, or of winning compliance if passed.

J.D. Tuccille | 11.22.2021 8:30 AM

shane-cottle-vxLQi7vvCvo-unsplash-2 | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@shanecottle?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Shane Cottle</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Guns

Don't Be Surprised if Gun Owners Don't Comply With Gun Control Laws

Getting a law passed is not the same thing as getting people to obey.

J.D. Tuccille | 8.25.2021 7:00 AM

zumaamericaseight510550 | Patrick Fallon/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Guns

Biden's Gun Schemes Illustrate the Foolishness of Firearms Regulations

Rules range from absurd to appalling without respect for civil liberties or basic logic.

J.D. Tuccille | 6.18.2021 7:00 AM

thumb | Illustration: Lex Villena; ID 41878567 © Zim235 | Dreamstime.com

Guns

3 Reasons Why Banning 'Assault Weapons' Is a Terrible Idea

A ban won’t stop mass shootings, but it will hinder self-defense.

Erik Nelson | 4.14.2021 2:20 PM

thumb | Illustration: Lex Villena; ID 200391085© Richard Villalon| Dreamstime.com, ID 50639754© Diana Eller| Dreamstime.com

Gun Control

No, It's Not Easier To Get a Rifle Than Vote

This awful gun control talking point won’t go away.

Trevor Burrus | 3.25.2021 1:36 PM

Untitled(7) | Bannon: Natan Dvir/Polaris/Newscom; Lil Wayne: GKUA.COM/MEGA / Newscom

Reason Roundup

Lil Wayne, Steve Bannon, and Some Drug War Victims Pardoned, but No Assange, Snowden, or Ulbricht

Plus: Pelosi wants 9/11-style commission to investigate Capitol attack, MyPillow drama, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 1.20.2021 9:52 AM

Volokh Conspiracy

What Explains Why Homicides Are Increasing Significantly Across the Country Since Late May?

A "Minneapolis effect" from lack of policing is a possible explanation for the startling 37% increase in murders in major cities in recent weeks.

Paul Cassell |The Volokh Conspiracy | 7.29.2020 12:48 PM

Criminal Justice

How Mandatory Minimum Reform Will Work with "Stacked" Charges

My case involving Weldon Angelos illustrates the problem with "stacking" federal mandatory minimum gun charges from a single episode. The statute will apparently soon be amended to become a true recidivism statute.

Paul Cassell |The Volokh Conspiracy | 11.19.2018 10:32 AM

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