In this week's newsletter, the Director of our newly minted Citizens Involvement Project reminds readers "all politics is local" and David Kopel shares his latest publication on the history of bans on weapons before 1900.
Do you know many local elections are happening this November? It is not all about the national election cycle. There are also dozens of special district elections, like the Regional Transportation District (RTD). These special districts collect taxes from a huge number of Coloradans. Do you know what districts affect you? It can be hard to find. A good place to start is by looking at your most recent tax bill.
These districts are governed by either elected and/or appointed citizens. Do you see yourself as the solution to government overreach? Would you be willing to be elected to a board? If the answer is yes, we need you to jump into the race! For assistance with the process of running for RTD or other special districts, send an email to kathleen@i2i.org.
Stop complaining and take back your country by taking back your government. -Kathleen Chandler Director of Citizens Involvement Project
The U.S. Supreme Court in the 2022 Bruen case ruled that the Second Amendment should be interpreted based on original meaning--and that original meaning can be clarified or elucidated by history and tradition. The closer to 1791 the better, and history after 1900 doesn’t have much to teach about original meaning. So, what do American history and tradition show about bans or restrictions on particular types of weapons? The complete answer can be found in a just-published law journal article that I co-authored with Independence Institute Research Associate Joseph Greenlee, The History of Bans on Types of Arms Before 1900.
The article appears in Notre Dame’s “Journal of Legislation.” It’s 164 pages, with 1,563 footnotes, and available for free here. A prepublication version of the article has already been cited in three judicial opinions: a dissent in the Third Circuit, and two opinions from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
The article is the first to provide full coverage of all pre-1900 colonial, state, and territorial laws about Bowie knives, dirks, daggers, sword canes, brass knuckles, slungshots (a flexible impact weapon), blackjacks (same), and cannons. The article also covers the few laws that restricted firearms based on type.
In general, restrictions on controversial weapons such as Bowie knives, handguns, or slungshots were non-prohibitory. Laws forbade concealed carry while still allowing open carry. Some laws forbade sales to minors without parental permission. Other laws imposed extra punishment for misuse of the weapon in a violent crime. Laws that forbade adults from peaceable carry or possession in the home were rarities.
The new article is important because courts that are deciding cases by analyzing American legal history and tradition need accurate information. The gun ban lobbies have hired dishonest pseudoscholars, such as Fordham history professor Saul Cornell, to write misleading, inaccurate “expert reports” for the courts about legal history. My new article is already providing courts with the true story. -David Kopel, Research Director, Second Amendment Project.
Lastly, Chuck O'Reilly and Kathleen Chandler pen a guest op-ed on the numerous RTD seats up for grabs in November.
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Did you know 46% of the voters in Colorado are unaffiliated? Have you ever wondered why? Hear from the experts at Independence Institute talk about the issues important to Colorado and how to bring some sanity to this increasingly leftist state.
Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara is a current events show not to be missed. Each week it features lively - and sometimes heated - debates between elected officials, journalists, activists, concerned citizens, subject-matter experts, and hard-pressing host Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute. Jon is not afraid to express his "free-market" views, and his guests are not afraid to take on those opinions. It all makes for an informative, lively public affairs program.
This podcast includes several series of commentaries about the Constitution. Each series will cover a different aspect of the document. This series thumbnails the lives of 14 American Founders and their specific contributions to the Constitution. It covers both well-known Founders, such as James Madison, and those who are lesser known, but who exercised an out-sized influence.
PowerGab focuses on unique energy issues facing Colorado. Hosted by Amy Cook, Independence Institute's Energy and Environmental Policy Center Director, and Jake Fogleman, Director of Policy, PowerGab tackles the complexities of energy policy and solutions for a broad audience to educate and illuminate all while having a few laughs along the way.
If you can't trust the media who can you trust? Perhaps it will be citizen journalists who bring the real story. Cory Gaines is becoming the trusted source on Colorado politics through his Colorado Accountability Project.
PowerGab Hosts Jake Fogleman and Amy Cooke dive into the fastest reason why electric costs go up, and more importantly, who ends up paying.
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