Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
The Sudden Celebrity of Sir John Knight from Revisionist History
Aug 31, 2023
Historian Jonathan Barry from the University of Exeter dives into the enigmatic world of Sir John Knight, a 17th-century Bristol merchant now at the forefront of modern gun rights discussions. He explores Knight's controversial actions and their surprising relevance to today’s Second Amendment debates. The conversation unpacks how Knight's story reflects on individual rights versus societal regulations, emphasizing the challenges historians face in revisiting his legacy. Expect humor intertwined with profound insights into how historical figures can shape contemporary legal frameworks.
48:26
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Quick takeaways
- The cult of personality around Sir John Knight has made him a central figure in the American gun rights debate, despite his own compliance with gun control laws.
- The Supreme Court's ruling in the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruin case heavily relied on the Sir John Knight precedent, highlighting the importance of history and tradition in interpreting the Second Amendment.
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