Gun policy news covering firearm legislation, Second Amendment cases, mass shootings, background checks, and federal and state gun regulations.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into a fatal mass shooting at a Minneapolis apartment complex where Carlton Johnson killed two people and injured five others before being killed by law enforcement. Court documents reveal Johnson was facing eviction and had previously threatened a resident with a gun, though prosecutors declined charges in June due to insufficient evidence.
A 19-year-old gunman forced entry into Westwood Hills Elementary School in Virginia, wounding one staff member with a non-life-threatening gunshot before taking his own life in the library. No students were injured; the suspect died from a self-inflicted wound. The school remained closed for investigation while a community vigil was held.
A gunman injured an adult staff member with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and died by self-inflicted fire at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia. The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Anthony Ignatiadis-Isabelle, was found dead in the library. All students and staff remained safe during the lockdown.
Eugene Volokh argues that the Third Circuit's ruling in U.S. v. Berger correctly interprets the Second Amendment, contending that machine guns are not protected because they are dangerous and unusual weapons not commonly used for lawful self-defense under historical traditions.
Miami-Dade police arrested substitute teacher Chenelle Antonette Doctor after a loaded 9 mm Walther handgun was found in her backpack at Westland Senior High School. She has been fired by staffing agency Kelly Services, and a judge ordered her to stay away from the school during bond proceedings.
The FBI reported that firearm background checks increased by 16.5% year-over-year to 2,111,146 in August. This figure represents the third consecutive month of annual growth in background check volumes.