In Episode 10 of License vs. Liberty, Malik Liberty examines how courts protect fundamental liberties — marriage, the ability to earn a living, and self-defense — from being rebranded as state-issued privileges. This episode explains how and when States may regulate, where constitutional limits apply, and how to challenge unlawful licensing practices.

Major cases cited (read them yourself): Loving v. Virginia (1967); Obergefell v. Hodges (2015); Turner v. Safley (1987); Williamson v. Lee Optical (1955); Bell v. Burson (1971); District of Columbia v. Heller (2008); McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010); New York Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen (2022); Shelley v. Kraemer (1948); Shapiro v. Thompson; Saenz v. Roe.

Note to critics: This episode is rooted in primary authorities: constitutional text and controlling Supreme Court opinions. If you disagree, bring the opinions and legal argument — not insults. Comments that are hostile, defamatory, or that deliberately misrepresent the law will be removed. Respectful legal debate is welcome.

(Open each link to read full opinions and authoritative summaries.)

Marriage:

• Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967). (Justia)
• Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015). (Justia / Cornell)
• Turner v. Safley, 482 U.S. 78 (1987). (Justia / Oyez)

Work / Licensing:

• Williamson v. Lee Optical, 348 U.S. 483 (1955). (Oyez/Justia)
• Bell v. Burson, 402 U.S. 535 (1971). (LOC PDF / Justia) [oai_citation:34‡Library of Congress Tile

Self-Defense / Arms:

• District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008). (Justia / LOC)
• McDonald v. City of Chicago, 561 U.S. 742 (2010). (Justia / Cornell) — (search Cornell if needed).
• New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen, 597 U.S. ___ (2022). (Justia / Supreme Court)

State-Action Doctrine / Public vs Private:

• Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948). (Law.Cornell / Oyez / Justia)
• Burton v. Wilmington Parking Authority, 365 U.S. 715 (1961). (Justia / Cornell)
• Lugar v. Edmondson Oil Co., 457 U.S. 922 (1982). (search Justia/Cornell)

Ninth & Tenth Amendment summaries:

• Ninth Amendment — Law.Cornell (Legal Information Institute).
• Tenth Amendment — Law.Cornell (Legal Information Institute).

Travel / Licensing intersection:

• Shapiro v. Thompson / Saenz v. Roe — see earlier episodes and Law.Cornell/Justia for the texts.

News / Recent developments:

• Circuit rulings and coverage on Second Amendment litigation: Reuters (examples of 2025 rulings).