Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Second Amendment

Firearms Law & Second Amendment Symposium

Friday, August 26, 2005

Is The Second Amendment The First Among Equals?

To fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence, the authors of the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights made it clear that individual rights were paramount.  The Bill of Rights, wrote Madison, was "calculated to secure the personal rights of the people."

Yet when the U.S. Department of Justice issued its exhaustive 2004 memorandum on the Second Amendment, concluding without reservation that "the Second Amendment secures a personal right of individuals," the national media was apoplectic.  So politicized had this right become that it had been clearly set apart and segregated as different from other rights guaranteed to the "people" as in the 1st, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 14th amendments.

To examine the Second Amendment in a scholarly and in-depth forum, prestigious constitutional scholars will convene at this symposium to explore issues past and present, pro and con, covering this controversial topic.

This event promises to present a thought-provoking and balanced discussion of this least understood, and arguably, the most factious freedom contained in the Bill of Rights.

This first ever "Firearms Law & the Second Amendment Symposium" will be hosted by Law Students for the Second Amendment, at George Mason University School of Law along with the NRA Foundation.

Each symposium registrant will receive a packet that contains the panelists' written materials on the subject--an excellent source for future reference.  The event, including all materials, food and beverages is free, and is open to the public.

The symposium will be held:

Saturday, September 24, 2005,
George Mason University School of Law (Arlington, VA Campus),
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., (Registration from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.),
3401 Fairfax Drive, "Original Building," Room 329, Arlington, VA

Don't miss this seminal event.  To reserve your place, please visit www.nraila.org/workshops/Symposium.aspx?ID=GMUSL or call (800) 392-8683.

(NOTE:  CLE Credit will be attained in the effort to serve new attorneys and general practitioners seeking advanced or specialized information concerning firearms law at the federal and state levels.)

TRENDING NOW
ATF Proposes Helpful Reforms for Travel with NFA Items

News  

Monday, December 8, 2025

ATF Proposes Helpful Reforms for Travel with NFA Items

Until the National Firearms Act is a relic of the past, every little bit that makes it easier to navigate can surely help. In recent weeks, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) ...

UK Continues Perilous Slide into 1984 Territory

News  

Monday, December 8, 2025

UK Continues Perilous Slide into 1984 Territory

By now, many of you have probably heard about the British subject (we are not really sure they should be called citizens anymore) who, after visiting the United States and enjoying the firearm freedoms many ...

Latest Anti-Gun Task Force Report Delivers Next Wish List for Michigan Prohibitionists

News  

Monday, December 8, 2025

Latest Anti-Gun Task Force Report Delivers Next Wish List for Michigan Prohibitionists

Joe Biden has been out of office for over 300 days now, but his anti-gun legacy lingers, including in the form of a playbook left behind for anti-liberty governors (hello, Governor Gretchen Whitmer!) to consult. NRA-ILA ...

The Kids are Alright: Distrust of Mainstream Media Peaks with Gen Z, Alpha

News  

Monday, December 8, 2025

The Kids are Alright: Distrust of Mainstream Media Peaks with Gen Z, Alpha

A few weeks ago, an alert discussed the Gallup organization’s polling that tracks historic changes in the public’s perception of mass media (newspapers, TV, and radio). Since 1972, Gallup has been asking Americans about their “trust and ...

New Jersey: Senate Committee Passes Attack on Garden State Shooting Ranges

Thursday, December 4, 2025

New Jersey: Senate Committee Passes Attack on Garden State Shooting Ranges

On Thursday, December 4, the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee advanced legislation that could potentially weaponize local zoning laws against outdoor shooting ranges. According to the bill statement, “This bill requires a municipality in which ...

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Monday, November 17, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

Ninth Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to California’s Ammunition Background Check Requirement

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Ninth Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to California’s Ammunition Background Check Requirement

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted rehearing en banc in Rhode v. Bonta—a case backed by the National Rifle Association and California Rifle and Pistol Association.

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Case of Virginia CCW Holder Arrested While Traveling Through Maryland

Thursday, December 11, 2025

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Case of Virginia CCW Holder Arrested While Traveling Through Maryland

The National Rifle Association joined the Second Amendment Foundation, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in filing ...

A Dozen Towns in New Jersey Have Nullified Carry Permit Fees Through an Initiative Backed by NJFOS, NRA, and CCRKBA.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

A Dozen Towns in New Jersey Have Nullified Carry Permit Fees Through an Initiative Backed by NJFOS, NRA, and CCRKBA.

On November 25th, Howell, in Monmouth County, became the 12th municipality in New Jersey to refund all or substantially all the fees required to obtain a permit to carry. The list now includes towns in ...

Third Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to New Jersey’s Carry Restrictions

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Third Circuit Grants Rehearing En Banc in NRA-Supported Challenge to New Jersey’s Carry Restrictions

Today, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals granted rehearing en banc in Siegel v. Platkin, an NRA-supported challenge to New Jersey’s carry restrictions.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.