The Second Amendment protects and reinforces your right to bear arms. But what exactly is that right? How is it defined by the law? As the ultimate interpreter of American law, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) tells us what the Second Amendment does—and doesn’t—protect.Here’s a simplified breakdown of Second Amendment Supreme Court cases and their impact on our self-defense rights.
A question that often comes up on both sides of the gun debate is “Has gun control saved lives?” An answer of sorts can be found in studies and statistics, both of which present some of their own downsides and inaccuracies, at times. The simplest answer to this is the most obvious: Criminals behave criminally, and if someone is willing to break the law, creating more laws won’t stop them. In fact, those restrictions typically hinder law-abiding gun owners more than anyone else.
Whether you’re talking about the 1994-2004 federal version, the 2013 New York and Connecticut models, or any of a handful of other state designs, Assault Weapons Bans (“AWBs”) have been a hot topic for decades. Supporters say they decrease crime. Detractors point to the fact that all types of rifles combined, represent 364 out of 13,927 in 2019 (just 2.6%)—a tiny proportion—of firearms used in homicides, and that assault weapons don’t even get their own category in these statistics.
When looking beyond firearms, it can be difficult to navigate the sea of different federal, state, and local laws regarding carry and ownership. It’s best to be safe and consult with an attorney (like a U.S. LawShield® Independent Program Attorney) before purchasing and carrying a self-defense weapon. Legal to carry doesn’t always mean legal to conceal without a permit, so that’s another factor to consider. That said, here are some options that are generally legal, and useful self-defense tools for when a gun can’t, or won’t, be available.
There’s a lot of gun terminology out there, and it can be overwhelming hearing it used. To help you expand your gun language skills, we’ve put together this guide of words and terms you should know about the AR-15. After all, it’s a popular platform, so why not get to know it better?
In December 2021, a Nevada state court judge invalidated portions of the new Nevada “ghost gun” law. The statute, which had an effective date of January 1, 2022, addresses unserialized firearms. While the court ruling suspends certain parts of the law, the ultimate fate of the law is yet to be decided. The law is surrounded by a sharply divided public opinion with gun owners, gun rights advocates, manufacturers, law enforcement, and gun control advocacy groups holding strong opinions.
Building AR-15s is often referred to as “Legos® for adults,” and while the general fit-and-create concept applies, there’s a lot more to successfully putting together a reliable firearm than making a Lego tower. When you realize how many parts it takes to build an AR-15—about 65 to 100, depending on configuration—it might seem overwhelming. Consider this your one-stop read to find out what individual components are necessary to build an AR-15.
If you haven’t shipped a firearm yet, odds are good you’ll do so in the future. Not only are guns shipped for sales, but they’re also shipped for repairs, custom Cerakote® finishes, and more. However, you can’t just throw your gun into a box and mail it using whatever means are most convenient at the time. There are federal and state laws in place regarding shipping firearms that you must know and follow. Remember, claiming ignorance of the law isn’t a valid legal defense.
U.S. LawShield®, industry leader and America's largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense® coverage, is holding a live YouTube event on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 11 AM CT titled “Crucial Brandishing Mistakes to Avoid.”
U.S. LawShield , industry leader and America's largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense coverage, is a proud sponsor of Arizona’s 9th Annual Celebrate & Protect the 2nd Amendment Rally to be held on February 19, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. U.S. LawShield member Stephen Willeford, known for his life-saving actions during the Sutherland Springs church shooting, will be part of the RidersUSA motorcycle parade to the Arizona State Capitol and featured at the rally as the keynote speaker.
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