Featured Topics

LCAV’s materials on important topics such as the Second Amendment and assault weapons are featured here.

Documents may be downloaded by clicking on the underlined title.

Second Amendment

LCAV’s answers to commonly asked questions, public education materials and case summaries explain how courts interpret the meaning of the Second Amendment. For additional information, including summaries of over 200 federal and state appellate cases that have rejected Second Amendment challenges to firearms laws, click here.

The Second Amendment: Frequently Asked Questions (June 2004)
Answers to commonly asked questions about the Second Amendment, such as how the Amendment has been interpreted by the courts and how it is viewed by the American public.

What's the Difference Between Guns and Lemonade? (2001)
Public education ad explaining that the Second Amendment is not a barrier to the passage of state and local gun laws.

Take the Law Into Your Own Hands and Change It (2001)
Public education ad explaining that the Second Amendment is not a barrier to the passage of state and local gun laws.

Charlton Heston Didn't Write the Second Amendment. He Just Acts That Way (March 27, 2000)
Public education ad correcting the National Rifle Association’s misstatements regarding the meaning of the Second Amendment.

An Open Letter to the NRA (March 27, 2000)
Letter authored by 50 prominent law professors and historians correcting the National Rifle Association’s misstatements regarding the meaning of the Second Amendment.

Assault Weapons

LCAV’s report, model law, model resolution and opinion editorial furnish advocates and public officials with tools for evaluating and pursuing options to ban assault weapons throughout the country.

Statement on the Expiration of the Federal Assault Weapon Ban September 14, 2004.

Banning Assault Weapons - A Legal Primer for State and Local Action (2004)
Written for activists and public officials and intended to serve as a practical guide to the legal and policy issues surrounding the adoption and strengthening of assault weapon bans at the state and local level. Originally released in April 2004, reissued in September 2004, and reprinted in August 2005.

Model Law Banning Assault Weapons
Bans assault weapons using provisions that are more comprehensive than federal law. Also bans large capacity ammunition magazines.

Model Resolution to Renew and Strengthen the Federal Assault Weapon Ban (June 2004)
Urges Congress and the President to renew and strengthen the federal assault weapon ban, which will expire on September 13, 2004 unless it is reauthorized.

While Congress Does Nothing, Columbus Bans Assault Weapons Press release issued July 12, 2005. For a link to the Columbus ordinance, click here.

City Council Stops the Assault on Columbus Press release issued July 11, 2005. Press release issued July 11, 2005. For a link to the Columbus ordinance, click here.

Battle for Strong Assault Weapon Ban Is Not Over Press release issued September 14, 2004.

Expired ban on assault weapons will leave us vulnerable, San Francisco Chronicle (September 10, 2004).

With Less than 15 Days Left to Act, Will Bush Keep his Word on Assault Weapon Ban? Press release issued July 13, 2004.

As Sun Sets on Federal Assault Weapon Ban, States and Local Communities Have Ready Opportunities to Take Action Press release issued April 8, 2004.

Will the NRA shoot itself in the foot over assault-weapons ban?
Opinion editorial appearing in the San Francisco Chronicle (March 7, 2004).