Free Republic

The Seventh Circuit’s decision in Ezell v. Chicago is a tremendously important case for Second Amendment doctrine. The key rules from Ezell: use originalism from both 1791 and 1868 to determine if an activity is within the scope of the Second Amendment right. If it is, apply First Amendment doctrine, and make the standard of review more stringent when the activity is closer to the core of the right, and when the government is prohibiting rather than regulating. Generally speaking, when looking for guidance, look to Eugene Volokh. As the above rules apply to the case at bar: The right...

Eric Zorn is a columnist and blogger for the Chicago Tribune who writes the "Change of Subject" blog for the them. He readily acknowledges that he is not a shooter. He also recognizes that the Range Law passed by the Chicago City Council is an ugly monstrosity. In a post entitled City misfires in passing new gun-range law Zorn skewers the City Council and the hastily passed ordinance. He calls the law and its passage a "legislative raspberry" that taunts the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals just after the city got slapped down in Ezell. It is a taunt because...

Update: We have been notified by the Republican Party that Ezell Lee has qualified for re-election as a Republican in Senate District 47. As of a couple days ago, no one else had qualified to run for this seat. Original story: In a major hattip to one of our readers, Sen. Michael Watson wrote on his Facebook wall that Sen. Ezell Lee has qualified for re-election as a Republican. Lee has been serving in the legislature as a Democrat going back to 1987. I spoke with another state Senator earlier today who said that Lee has recently started voting with...