The Supreme Court's interpretation of the Second Amendment has changed significantly over the last 20 years. Rulings in cases like DC v. Heller in 2008 and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen in 2022 recast the "right to bear arms" in a new legal framework that makes it more challenging to create effective firearm regulations. On this episode of Policy Outsider, we speak with a New York State legislator and a political science scholar about constitutional originalism—the theory underlying aspects of these rulings—and the practical considerations of legislating in the complex legal environment created by the Court's decisions.

Guests

• Honorable Charles D. Lavine, New York State Assemblymember, Assembly District 13
• Robert J. Spitzer, Member, Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium; Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Political Science Department, SUNY Cortland