Dave Kopel Home Page

In Congress

Kopel testified on Nov. 17 before the U.S. Senate subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism regarding S. 463, Senator Schumer's bill to vastly expand the number of people prohibited from owning or temporarily possessing a firearm. 29-page written testimony. Video of subcommittee hearing. Kopel's 5 minute prepared remarks begin at 72:41. At 103:40, there is a Q&A with Senator Grassley, with leads to follow-up questions with Senator Schumer, in which Kopel explains to Schumer what the Schumer bill actually does. Kopel discusses the bill on NRA News. Media coverage: NPR, ABC, Governing, Albany Times Union.

Kopel testified on Sept. 13 before the U.S. House subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, regarding H.R. 822, which would set up a national system of interstate reciprocity for concealed handgun carry permits. Kopel's 24-page written testimony. Video of the subcommittee hearing. Cato Institute podcast with Kopel on the issue.

In the Media

Get a Medical Marijuana Card, Lose Your Second Amendment Rights. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wants to prohibit patients from protecting themselves. Reason.com, Dec. 16, 2011.

Young Turks host Cenk Uygur, ‘We were supposed to get change,’ not Defense Authorization Act stripping civil liberties. Kopel briefly mentioned at 2:10. Current TV, Dec. 14.

Wayne Laugesen, Bad sheriff hated gun rights, Colorado Springs Gazette, Dec. 07. David Codrea, Sheriff’s arrest shows need is for self control, not control of others, Gun Rights Examiner, Dec. 1. Obamacare Judges Must Answer The "Broccoli Question," Forbes, Nov. 18. NRA's 'Fire Holder' Campaign Motivated by Second Amendment Concerns, Main Justice, Nov. 9, 2011. Nationwide CCW reciprocity bill in Congress, Reno Examiner. Michael Moore's insufferable occupation, by Jay Ambrose, Scripps News, Nov. 9. Supremes About to Decide Which Obamacare Cases Make the Cut, by David Catron, American Spectator, Nov. 9. The Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Wall Street Journal Ideas Market blog. Oct 3.

Independence Institute amicus brief in Florida v. HHS, before the US Supreme Court. Argues that the Obamacare Medicaid mandate (states must drastically expand Medicaid eligibility, or lose all federal matching funds for Medicaid) violates the Constitution.

Amicus brief in People v. Aguilar, currently before the Supreme Court of Illinois. Professors Michael O'Shea, Nicholas Johnson, and Kopel argue that Illinois's complete prohibition of defensive carry in public places violates the Second Amendment.

Amicus brief for the Independence Institute in Kerr v. Hickenlooper (D. Colo.). Rebuts plaintiffs' claim that direct democracy, such as referenda and initiatives, is contrary to the Republican Form of Government clause of the U.S. Constitution. Podcast by II Senior Fellow Rob Natelson on the brief.

Amicus brief for the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association, and the Independence Institute, in Peruta v. San Diego (9th Circuit). Details why the carrying of an unloaded handgun--which can only be loaded under "imminent" threat--is insufficient to effectuate the constitutional right of armed self-defense. Also details police interests in encouraging concealed carry rather than open carry. Includes numerous short videos to illustrate the brief's descriptions of how guns are loaded, and how they are deployed in an emergency.

Independence Institute amicus brief in Florida v. HHS (11th Circuit). Explains the original meaning of the Necessary and Proper Clause, and why the individual mandate is neither "necessary" nor "proper."

Kopel's amicus brief for the County Sheriffs of Colorado in Students for Concealed Carry on Campus v. Regents of the University of of Colorado (Colo. Sup. Ct.).

Will gun owners get caught sleeping? Polling data from the past half-century show tremendous progress in public support for Second Amendment rights. But those gains could be reversed if Second Amendment supporters become apathetic. America's 1st Freedom. Dec. 2011.

Kopel explains the 14th Amendment constitutional basis for congressional legislation for interstate carry reciprocity.