Firearms Law and the Second Amendment by Nicholas J. Johnson & George A. Mocsary & E. Gregory Wallace & Donald Kilmer Summary
Overview of Firearms Law and the Second Amendment
The first law school textbook entirely devoted to Second Amendment jurisprudence, spanning 1,367 pages of legal evolution from ninth-century England to post-Bruen America. What historical precedents will reshape your understanding of constitutional rights in today's increasingly polarized gun debate?
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Key takeaways
The Right to Bear Arms: America's Constitutional Flashpoint
The Second Amendment stands as perhaps America's most contentious constitutional provision. When firearms ownership is both widespread and divisive, understanding the legal framework becomes essential. With approximately 230-300 million privately owned firearms in America-roughly matching or exceeding the adult population-this isn't merely an academic debate. About 34% of American adults personally own firearms, with ownership rates varying dramatically by region: above 65% in Wyoming and Montana, but only around 15% in states like New Jersey. This geographic distribution reflects deeper cultural and historical patterns that have shaped American firearms law since the nation's founding. The technical realities of firearms often get lost in emotional debates. Handguns-comprising about 80% of weapons used in crimes-remain "overwhelmingly chosen by American society" for lawful self-defense, as the Supreme Court noted in Heller. Meanwhile, rifles-despite their capabilities and controversial status in public discourse-appear in only 1.3% of violent crimes. This disconnect between perception and reality has profound implications for both policy and constitutional interpretation. How can we craft effective legislation when the technical realities often differ dramatically from public understanding?
Ancient Foundations of a Modern Right
From English Rights to American Revolution
Constitutional Protection and Early Interpretation
From Reconstruction to Modern Regulation
The Supreme Court Speaks: Heller and McDonald
Rights in Balance: The Continuing Conversation
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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