McDonald v. Chicago: Dave Kopel's Brief

November 23, 2009

Dave Kopel has posted a brief in conjunction with the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA). The argument is summed up in the first sentence: Guns save lives.

This one isn't about the 14th Amendment at all.  Rather, it's an ancillary brief written to underscore the point that firearms in the hands of citizens fulfill a useful purpose, and that bans such as the one in Chicago are not only ineffective but dangerous.

It occupies an important strategic position, since the counterargument will likely involve a plea for "interest balancing."  Kopel's research will serve as an effective bulwark …