The deadly July Fourth attack in Highland Park, Illinois, underscores how a cherished constitutional right is under attack — the First Amendment right to peacefully assemble.
Even before this most recent shooting, it had become dangerous to congregate in public. In dozens of incidents across the United States, counterprotesters armed with assault weapons and other firearms have disrupted demonstrations concerning everything from abortion to vaccine mandates to police brutality.
These disruptions are about to get worse. Because of the recent Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, states like California are going to be forced to issue concealed weapons permits to many more individuals. California, like New York, will change from a state that “may issue” concealed weapon permits to one that “shall issue” such permits to most adults without felony records.
