New histories of gun rights and regulation : essays on the place of guns in American law and society
Joseph Blocher (Editor), Jacob D. Charles (Editor), Darrell A. H. Miller (Editor)
"The US Supreme Court recently held that the constitutionality of modern gun laws depends on whether they are "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation". This landmark judicial decision, which cited an essay in this collection, made it ever more crucial to be clear about what the "historical tradition" entails. The scope of the Second Amendment's right to keep and bear arms, and accordingly the government's power to regulate firearms in the interest of public safety, hangs in the balance. Drawing on original research and sources not available to earlier Supreme Court opinions, New Histories of Gun Rights and Regulations brings together various methodological approaches and highlights issues in firearms law that have been previously underexamined. Its contributors, including distinguished historians, social scientists, and legal scholars, offer valuable new insight into the place of guns in American law and society. This ground-breaking new volume illuminates how history and constitutional law interact, suggesting concrete answers to some live legal controversies. A vital contribution to a vibrant debate, [this book] is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the scope of the Second Amendment--a right whose breadth is frequently defined by its historical treatment"-- Dust jacket
Print Book, English, 2023
Oxford University Press, New York, 2023