Aspen Ideas Festival: A debate on the Second Amendment

This session from the Aspen Ideas Festival features two lawyers with opposing views on the Second Amendment and what gun regulations are constitutional. They also delve into the implications of the 2008 Supreme Court decision recognizing the individual right to own a gun.

Alan Gura successfully argued that case. District of Columbia vs Heller confirmed the Second Amendment secures individual rights to gun ownership. Another case Gura won was McDonald vs City of Chicago, which requires state and local governments to respect the right to own arms.

Gura was joined by Michael Waldman, the president of the Brennan Center for Justice. Based at the New York University of Law, he is an expert on the presidency and American democracy. He has written several books including one titled, "The Second Amendment."

Joe Nocera, an author and journalist for The New York Times, moderated the discussion.