Chemerinsky: SCOTUS winds up term with rulings expected on major cases about government power, accountability

The Supreme Court heard the last oral arguments of the term on April 25, and now we wait for the decisions with the expectation of the usual flurry of rulings at the end of June. In thinking about the pending cases, a significant number involve the scope of government power and how to hold the government accountable.

May 1, 2024 12:08 PM CDT

Supreme Court will hear challenge to Biden administration rule on ghost guns

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would weigh a challenge to a Biden administration rule on “ghost guns,” weapons made from homemade kits that can be assembled into firearms.

Apr 23, 2024 8:50 AM CDT

‘Spirit of Aloha’ clashes with ‘federally mandated’ gun lifestyle, Hawaii Supreme Court says

The Hawaii Supreme Court has upheld state laws that generally ban carrying guns in public in an opinion that criticizes the U.S. Supreme Court’s historical approach to Second Amendment cases.

Feb 13, 2024 12:47 PM CST

People convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes should be under gun ban, ABA House urges

The ABA House of Delegates on Monday overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from obtaining firearms.

Feb 5, 2024 10:45 AM CST

Mexico’s suit accusing gun-makers of facilitating gun trafficking isn’t barred by immunity shield, 1st Circuit says

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Mexico may proceed with its lawsuit alleging that gun-makers are liable for facilitating the trafficking of guns used by drug cartels.

Jan 23, 2024 9:44 AM CST

Ban on youths carrying guns in emergencies violates Second Amendment, 3rd Circuit rules

Youths who are 18 to 20 years old are among the people protected by the Second Amendment, and they can’t be barred from carrying guns during a state of emergency, a federal appeals court has ruled in a 2-1 decision.

Jan 22, 2024 3:38 PM CST

Is BigLaw mostly liberal? SCOTUS amicus briefs indicate answer is yes, especially in significant cases

Large law firms are showing their ideological leanings in U.S. Supreme Court amicus briefs filed on behalf of likely pro bono clients, according to a study by a law professor at the University of Notre Dame.

Jan 17, 2024 3:59 PM CST

Chemerinsky: Expect another momentous year at the Supreme Court

I do not recall ever facing a new year with such a sense of trepidation and even fear of what to expect. The presidential election campaign of 2024 promises to be unlike any we have seen in American history, and it seems inevitable that the U.S. Supreme Court will play a large role. And the docket for the current term is filled with major issues about controversial matters, such as abortion, administrative law, gun rights and the First Amendment and social media.

Jan 4, 2024 10:49 AM CST

Supreme Court again refuses to block Illinois ban on assault weapons

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday denied an emergency request to block bans on assault weapons adopted by Illinois and one of its cities.

Dec 15, 2023 9:50 AM CST

New York can’t ban concealed carry by default on private property open to public, 2nd Circuit says

A federal appeals court has ruled that many restrictions in New York’s revised concealed-carry law are likely constitutional, including a requirement that applicants be of good moral character.

Dec 13, 2023 8:50 AM CST

ACLU represents NRA in this Supreme Court case

Updated: The American Civil Liberties Union doesn’t support the National Rifle Association or its mission. But the ACLU is representing the gun-rights group as co-counsel in a free speech case before the U.S. Supreme Court, the New York Times reports.

Dec 11, 2023 9:20 AM CST

Federal appeals court strikes down Maryland law requiring ‘handgun qualification license’

A Maryland law requiring those who want handguns to wait up to 30 days for a “handgun qualification license” violates the Second Amendment, a federal appeals court ruled last week.

Nov 27, 2023 3:21 PM CST

Ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines likely constitutional, 7th Circuit says

A Chicago-based federal appeals court ruled Friday that Illinois and several municipalities may enforce bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines while challenges continue in the courts.

Nov 8, 2023 9:37 AM CST

Supreme Court to decide whether ATF can prohibit bump stocks under law banning machine guns

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can prohibit bump stocks under a law banning machine guns and parts intended to convert weapons into machine guns.

Nov 6, 2023 1:10 PM CST

Supreme Court to consider whether NRA can sue official for ‘pressure tactics’ against banks, insurers

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether the National Rifle Association can sue a New York official for allegedly violating the First Amendment by pressuring banks and insurers to cut ties with the advocacy group.

Nov 6, 2023 11:15 AM CST