UC Hastings College of the Law was founded in 1878 as the first law department of the University of California, and today is one of the top-rated law schools in the United States. Our alumni span the globe and are among the most respected lawyers, judges and business leaders today. Our faculty are nationally renowned as both teachers and scholars.

UC Hastings College of the Law

New Row

Visit our Expert Center. UC Hastings College of the Law is home to leading experts and thought leaders on a wide range of topics. Connect for media, speaking, professional opportunities and more.

UC Hastings College of the Law Expert Center

Home

Open Sans

Lawyers for America seeks to create the framework and support to enable legal nonprofits and public law offices to increase their legal manpower -- while simultaneously providing new attorneys...

Lawyers for America at UC Hastings

When businesswoman and philanthropist Merle Chambers '77 created her scholarship fund, she wanted to help women who were disadvantaged by work-family conflicts. Scholarship recipient Sherry...

Sherry Patterson '14: Paying it Forward

As they enter the legal profession, students of the 2014 graduating class were urged to consider what they will do to make a difference.

133rd UC Hastings Commencement

"What we want to do is prepare students to be at the leading edge. Not only to understand the health sciences and health law, but to help define it." - Professor David Faigman, JD, Co-Director...

Law & Health Sciences at UC Hastings

At UC Hastings, we believe legal education should be an active, engaging process that prepares students for real world law practice. Learn more: www.uchastings.edu/experiential.

Train Hard

uc hastings gala  willie l  brown jr  '58, alumnus of the year 1280x720

Students in the Startup Legal Garage provide corporate and intellectual property work to early stage startup companies under the supervision of leading attor...

Startup Legal Garage

"I came to UC Hastings with the intent to go out into the community and work as a social justice attorney." - GAAP Exec. Director Gary Lewis '11. Learn more about GAAP at http://www.gaap.org,...

Pro Bono at UC Hastings: For the Public Good

With over sixty registered student organizations on campus, there are many great ways to pursue your interests and get involved. Whatever your interest is, o...

We've Got an Org for That!

is-repealing-the-second-amendment-possible-or-easier-said-than-done

Is repealing the Second Amendment possible or easier said than done?

Albert Abramson '54 Professor of Law

On Tuesday, retired Supreme Court justice John Paul Stevens called for the repeal of the Second Amendment. It appeared an Op-Ed in the New York Times and has been taking the news and political worlds by storm.

It’s not often a justice leaves his position of objectivity, even if retired. But at the age of 97, the former justice who was first appointed to the Supreme Court in 1975 by then President Gerald Ford weighed in calling the amendment a “relic of the 18th century.”

However, it takes more than just a stroke of the pen or a simple impassioned vote to accomplish this. 

In fact, to repeal the Second Amendment would be require both houses of Congress proposing the amendment with a two-thirds vote, or two thirds of state legislatures calling on Congress to hold a constitutional convention.

It would then have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states or state legislatures.

There’s a lot of math involved there. As well, an equal amount of legal and constitutional perspective required. That’s where the experts from the UC Hastings College of Law can help.

Joel Paul is an expert in the field of constitutional law. He is available to speak with media regarding just what it might take to repeal a constitutional amendment. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Source:  

UC Hastings College of the Law Expert Center

Featured Experts

Mark N. Aaronson

Alice Armitage

Hadar Aviram

Alina Ball

Margreth Barrett

Dana Beldiman

Paul Belonick

George Bisharat

Kate Bloch

Binyamin Blum

Featured Spotlights

More about UC Hastings College of the Law