Cannibalizing the Constitution: On Terrorism, the Second Amendment, and the Threat to Civil Liberties

Authors

Francesca Laguardia, Montclair State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 2022

Journal / Book Title

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

Abstract

This article explores the links between internet radicalization, access to weapons, and the current threat from terrorists who have been radicalized online. The prevalence of domestic terrorism, domestic hate groups, and online incitement and radicalization have led to considerable focus on the tension between counterterror efforts and the First Amendment. Many scholars recommend rethinking the extent of First Amendment protection, as well as Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment protections, and some judges appear to be listening. Yet the Second Amendment has avoided this consideration, despite the fact that easy access to weapons is a necessary ingredient for the level of threat posed by online incitement. This article clarifies the way these civil liberties interact to create the threat, suggesting that pro-democracy rights such as protections on speech and privacy should not bear all the burden of compromise for the sake of protection from terrorism.

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Laguardia, Francesca, "Cannibalizing the Constitution: On Terrorism, the Second Amendment, and the Threat to Civil Liberties" (2022). Department of Justice Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 192.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/justice-studies-facpubs/192

Published Citation

LaGuardia, Francesca. "Cannibalizing the Constitution: On Terrorism, the Second Amendment, and the Threat to Civil Liberties." (2022).