Podcast: Examining the Supreme Court’s Renewed Interest in AR-15 Bans With Author Mark W. Smith

The Supreme Court is back in the spotlight because it showed a sign it might soon act on so-called assault weapons bans.

But the sign comes in the form of a complex legal maneuver that needs some explaining. That’s why we have author and pro-gun lawyer Mark W. Smith on the show to suss out exactly what’s going on and what it means.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who oversees the Seventh Circuit, asked Naperville, Illinois, to defend its ban on AR-15s and similar firearms against an emergency request to block the law. Smith said that means she, and probably other members of the Court, may take the rare step of entering an emergency injunction. However, he said that likely depends on what happens with a sister case against Illinois’ statewide ban.

Smith argued the common defenses of the bans are lacking. He said the Heller standard that guns in “common use for lawful purposes” can’t be banned is the proper way to judge these cases. And he said it is clear AR-15s and the other firearms targetted by assault weapons bans are popular enough to be considered in “common use.”

We also talk about Smith’s new book Disarmed: What the Ukraine War Teaches Americans About the Right to Bear Arms. He explains why he thinks Ukraine made significant missteps in the lead-up to the Russian invasion by not arming civilians at large until just before hostilities broke out. But he argues Ukraine’s newly-armed populous has helped repel the invaders, just as America’s did several centuries ago.

Plus, Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the effects of Colorado’s decade-long push to tighten its gun laws.

You can listen to the full episode on your favorite podcasting app or by clicking here. Video of the show is also available on our YouTube channel. As always, Reload Members get early access to the show on Sunday. Everyone else can listen on Monday.

Join For Sober, Serious Firearms Reporting & Analysis

Free Weekly Newsletter

Get the most important gun news

Reload Membership

Monthly
$ 10 a Month
  • Exclusive Sunday Analysis Newsletter
  • Access to Exclusive Posts
  • Early Access to the Podcast
  • Commenting Privileges
  • Exclusive Question & Answer Sessions

Reload Membership

Yearly
$ 100 a Year
  • 12 Months for Price of 10
  • Exclusive Sunday Analysis Newsletter
  • Access to Exclusive Posts
  • Early Access to the Podcast
  • Commenting Privileges
  • Exclusive Question & Answer Sessions
Best Deal
Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Share

Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
Email
Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Comments From Reload Members

2 Responses

    1. Because of the way the scheduling system works on YouTube and our podcasting host, the podcast is unavailable between 11:45 pm and 5 am eastern. Basically, I have to schedule the podcast to publish for the public release the night before it goes up.

      It will become available again at 5 am eastern. I can try to adjust the schedule if it becomes an issue for members.

Leave a Reply

Menu

Get your copy of our FREE weekly newsletter!