Topic: Second Amendment

Tea party drools over Ted Cruz, but can he survive Texas primary?

Ted Cruz is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Huchinson, and in many ways he's the ideal tea party candidate. But his best hope Tuesday is to force a runoff. 

Stand Your Ground law: Florida review panel to draw wide scrutiny

Florida's review of its controversial Stand Your Ground law began Tuesday. Spurred by the Trayvon Martin shooting, it is the first comprehensive look at the effect of such laws, which 24 other states have copied. 

Readers Write: Charm is no better than incivility; Gun rights vs. gun wrongs

Letters to the editor for the weekly print edition of April 2, 2012: One reader argues that the call for more 'charm' as a remedy for incivility is misguided, as charm can be mistaken for superficiality. Another reader faults partisan media programming for preventing Americans from disagreeing agreeably. A third reader 'has no quarrel with gun rights,' just with 'gun wrongs.'

Toulouse gunman puts spotlight on France's growing illegal gun trade

France's strict gun laws sharply limit legal ownership. But illegal trafficking is on the rise – at prices that people like Toulouse gunman Mohamed Merah can afford. 

US Supreme Court: Big 21st century rulings

The past 12 years have seen significant US high court decisions with wide-ranging effects on personal freedoms and national politics. Another key ruling is expected this summer on President Obama's health-care reform law. Here are some recent top rulings, all decided by 5-to-4 votes.

Guns and freedom: the American paradox

From the shot heard round the world to the old West to the spread of modern-day "concealed carry" rights, firearms are embedded in American culture.

Gun nation: Inside America's gun-carry culture

Why Americans now carry handguns in so many public places, from parks to college campuses. Is it making the country safer or more dangerous? 

This primary season, peel off political labels

It's primary season, so America is into political labels. Which is the real conservative, Romney or Santorum? Is Obama a European socialist? The more important question may be, 'What are you?' Surprisingly, the answer is probably 'all of the above.'

Super Bowl ad makes New York Mayor Bloomberg gun control king

The gun control movement has faltered in recent years. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has vowed to spend his own fortune to buck that trend, most notably with a Super Bowl ad.

Supreme Court declines to clarify gun rights question

The US Supreme Court declined on Monday to take up a potentially important gun rights case, which could have established guideposts for future gun regulations at the local, state, and national levels.

The rise of the regressive Right and the reawakening of America

A fundamental war has been waged in this nation since its founding, between progressive forces pushing us forward and regressive forces pulling us backward. But whenever privilege and power conspire to pull us backward, the nation eventually rallies and moves forward.

Supreme Court refuses potentially landmark gun-control case

A Maryland man appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the state's gun-control laws are too restrictive. The case was seen as a potentially pivotal examination of Second Amendment rights, but the Supreme Court refused it.

US Supreme Court opens, likely to wade into health care debate

It seems inevitable that the US Supreme Court will agree to hear the legal challenge to President Obama’s health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act. As the court opens Monday, gun laws, immigration, racial preferences, and separation of church and state loom as major issues as well.

US gun-tracing program in Mexican drug war comes under congressional fire

Allegations that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives allowed US arms to flow to Mexican cartels are now facing congressional scrutiny, including questions about whether that may have contributed to the deaths of a US law enforcement officer and numerous Mexicans.

US to crack down on arms trafficking over Mexico border

The US Justice Department has announced plans to cut arms trafficking into Mexico by monitoring the sale of assault rifles in border states in the wake of a scandal over the 'Fast and Furious' gun tracing operation.

Elections 101: Ten facts about Thaddeus McCotter and his run for president

Thaddeus McCotter, the GOP’s surprise dark horse, is stirring up the race. The five-term Michigan congressman declared his candidacy for president on July 2 in his home state.

A Beatles-loving, guitar-playing son of the heartland, Representative McCotter has strong conservative credentials and populist appeal. But there’s a problem. Thaddeus who?

Sarah Palin says she's right about Paul Revere. Is that wrong?

Sarah Palin recently offered a curious account of Paul Revere's midnight ride, but on Sunday she refused to acknowledge any mistake. The real question: What does she gain by all this?

Why Arizona governor vetoed gun law and 'birther bill,' irking the right

Jan Brewer, Arizona governor, surprised conservatives by vetoing a bill to allow guns onto college campuses and a 'birther bill' to require certain proofs of US citizenship for presidential candidates.

Thirty years after Reagan was shot, Jim and Sarah Brady courageously keep the pressure on for gun control

As Reagan's press secretary, Jim Brady was seriously wounded during the shooting. You have to admire the dedication of the Bradys to keep pushing for reasonable gun control laws. But as the Bradys acknowledge, Washington must find the courage to stand up to the NRA.

Patriot Act upset vote: Can tea party lawmakers, liberals be friends?

Some tea party lawmakers in the House helped to vote down Patriot Act provisions on Tuesday, out of concerns about civil liberties. Surprised, liberals applaud.

Tucson shooting spotlights US shift on gun control

Since the Tucson shooting on Jan. 8, federal gun control advocates have made little headway and many states are considering expanding gun rights. Why?

Gardena High shooting raises question: How to keep guns out of school?

The Los Angeles school district will review its security policies after the apparently accidental shooting of two students at Gardena High School. But experts are split on whether big-money projects like metal detectors and surveillance cameras are the way to go.

After Tucson shootings, Sarah Palin isn't retreating, she's reloading

In many ways, Sarah Palin mirrors the ethos of the gun-rights movement she promotes: never back down. Criticized for her rhetoric in the aftermath of the Tucson shootings, she's since posted a combative defense on Facebook and signed up to speak at a hunting and gun convention.

Aftermath of Arizona shooting: More guns in more hands?

Despite gun control efforts in Congress in the wake of the Arizona shooting, it's unlikely that America will see more gun control laws. In fact, the opposite may happen, at least in Arizona.

Search for renewal after Tucson tragedy: what Palin missed, what Obama got right

The idea that we can overcome our history and our baser instincts is the message great leaders send in times of tragedy and tension. It is the stuff of great speeches, and it is what President Obama gave the nation Wednesday night.