Jon Stewart on the Right and Wrong Time to Talk About Guns

"So, you're telling me that it's too soon to even have a conversation about it? You're telling me that to discuss the epidemic of gun violence in this country, for that there is a waiting period." – Jon Stewart

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11/10c.

Tags: Bill of Rights, Constitution, Fox News, Guns, Jon Stewart, Mike Huckabee, Second Amendment, The Daily Show, Video

The Daily Show on the Oppression of Missouri Gun-Owners

One day you'll be able to tell your grandchildren where you were when gun owners' rights finally continued to not be violated.

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11/10c.

Tags: Aasif Mandvi, Bill of Rights, Constitution, Guns, Jon Stewart, Judiciary, LGBT, Missouri, State Legislature, The Daily Show, Video

If You Want to Bring a Gun to the RNC, It Better Be Real

Good news, true-blooded patriotic American citizens, by whom I mean staunch Republicans. Lest you had any mislaid fears, concealed firearms (unless conservative homosexuals), will in fact be welcomed with open arms in downtown Tampa during this years Republican National Convention…

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has rejected a request from the Tampa mayor to prohibit the carrying of guns in downtown during the Republican National Convention this summer because it would infringe upon "sacred constitutional traditions," according to a letter released Wednesday…

"It is at just such times that the constitutional right to self-defense is most precious and must be protected from government overreach," Scott wrote. "I am confident the many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies focused on the RNC will fully protect Floridians and visitors, without the need to resort to sweeping infringements on our most sacred constitutional traditions."

I actually completely agree with Gov. Scott. I don't plan to carry a gun around with me when I'm in Tampa — mostly because it's not an Old West cattle-rustlin' town — but I don't see why my right to do so should be revoked simply because there's a political convention. That doesn't really make any sense. Plus, I don't think that guns, in the hands of licensed owners who have been properly vetted and trained, are all that big a threat.

Things that look like guns but are not actually guns, on the other hand…

In the politically-charged and likely protest-filled streets of Tampa, Fla., during the Republican National Convention in August, water guns will be strictly prohibited.

You can make a person wet with one of those things. Completely ruin a nice $500 fringed-suede coat. I don't like it! Too risky!

Tags: Bill of Rights, Constitution, Florida, Guns, Republican National Convention, Rick Scott

Stephen Colbert on Paul Ryan's Christian Budget Cuts

"Don't talk to me about separation of church and state; this is a Christian nation. Our money says 'In God We Trust,' our Declaration of Independence namechecks the Creator and when Congress passes a law, it is nothing short of a miracle." – Stephen Colbert

Coverage continues with Georgetown University's Father Thomas Reese after the jump…

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30/10:30c.

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Tags: Ayn Rand, Barack Obama, Bill of Rights, Budget, Catholic Church, Christianity, Church v. State, Constitution, Economy, House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, Religion, Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report, Video

Judge Rules Freedom of Speech Does Not Include Facebook "Likes"

Freedom of speech is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed in the constitution. Thanks to the First Amendment, we can rant about politicians and other public officials all day long.

We just can't "like" them on Facebook…

Daniel Ray Carter and Robert McCoy were deputies in the Hampton, Virginia sheriff’s office. Were, that is, until they made the mistake of "liking" their boss' opponent's Facebook page during a contested sheriff election. They were both fired shortly after their boss won reelection.

As government employees, Carter and McCoy are protected by the First Amendment. Nevertheless, a federal judge in Virginia denied their claim that they were unconstitutionally fired for expressing their political view on the unusual theory that "liking" a Facebook page does not constitute a form of expression protected by the First Amendment:

"No such statements exist in this case. Simply liking a Facebook page is insufficient. It is not the kind of substantive statement that has previously warranted constitutional protection."

Of course, that's not actually true. The Supreme Court has held that protected speech includes acts such as wearing an anti-war armband, waving a flag and displaying a swastika. Apparently, the judge was just exercising his freedom to be a crotchety old man to whom everything on the Internet is too new, evil and scary to be constitutional.

In addition to losing their case, the two fired deputies were promptly ordered to get off the judge's lawn.

Photo by John Moore/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Tags: Bill of Rights, Constitution, Facebook, Internet, Laws, Police, Supreme Court, Virginia