Reason Foundation

Recent Research and Commentary

Lessons from Norway's Horror

Don't use a tragedy to score partisan points.

July 26, 2011

Gene Healy

Gene Healy says he’s never been a fan of waiting periods for gun purchases, but after the rush to score partisan points in the wake of the horrific car-bombing and mass-shooting in Norway, he thinks the idea of a pundit’s “Brady Bill” might not be a bad idea. Many political commenters could use a “cooling-off” period before they start using mass murder to score partisan points.

When Ignorance Is the Best Excuse

Eric Holder's only defense of the ATF's "Fast and Furious" program is that he didn't know it existed.

July 20, 2011

Mike Riggs

On both sides of the Atlantic, two powerful men have attempted to absolve themselves of wrongdoing by claiming that they had no idea their respective organizations were breaking the law. In the UK, News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch claimed before Parliament that he was completely unaware that his News of the World employees were bribing cops and hacking into the voicemails of murder victims. In the U.S., Attorney General Eric Holder has tried to wash the blood off his hands by claiming total ignorance of a multi-agency DOJ program that led to death of a federal agent. In both cases, Mike Riggs argues, the men may be telling the truth. But that doesn't absolve them.

A Suicide Pact

Can the U.S. afford the Bill of Rights?

June 17, 2011

A. Barton Hinkle

Several days ago Adam Gadahn, an American-born spokesman for Al Qaeda, urged would-be jihadists to buy guns at gun shows: "America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms," he said. "So what are you waiting for?" Within a couple of femtoseconds, progressive America began quoting Gadahn as proof that the U.S. needs to close the so-called gun-show loophole. A. Barton Hinkle wonders if we really want Congress to start repealing every law that could be potentially useful to Al Qaedda. Shouldn’t we also abolish the Fourth Amendment, the FISA court, and maybe even habeas corpus?

Constitutional Refuseniks

Stewart Rhodes on his controversial group the Oath Keepers and the orders they won't obey

April 11, 2011

Radley Balko

Oath Keepers was founded in 2009 by Stewart Rhodes, a Yale Law School graduate and a former staffer for Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas). His organization's mission: to persuade America's soldiers and cops to refuse to carry out orders that violate the Constitution. On its website, Oath Keepers lists 10 orders its members will always refuse, including commands to conduct warrantless searches, to disarm the public, blockade an American city, or do anything that infringes "on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances." According to Rhodes, the group has about 30,000 dues-paying members.

Unlike the ACLU, the Oath Keepers are staunch defenders of the Second Amendment. They are also federalists, vowing to disobey orders that violate state sovereignty. Most of their members are conservative or libertarian. These latter positions have drawn suspicion and, at time, outright contempt from liberal groups such as the Southern Povery Law Center, which lumps Oath Keepers in with militias and hate groups. Reason Senior Editor Radley Balko spoke with Stewart Rhodes about these criticisms and more in January.

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