Ep. 8: Guns And Gun Culture In Court

Four of the seven defendants in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge trial face a federal weapons charge.Ryan and Ammon Bundy, David Fry, and Jeff Banta are accused of possessing firearms in the commission of a crime — namely, conspiring to impede federal employees.But the defendants say they had guns for self-protection, and argue that possessing guns is just a way of life in rural America.So how does the Second Amendment come into play here? What kinds of limits are there on the right to bear arms? And how do the differences in gun culture play out in the courtroom?Plus, journalist Leah Sottile fills us in on the big week in court.Subscribe to “This Land Is Our Land” on NPR One, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts. Find comprehensive trial coverage at http://www.opb.org/thisland.Share your thoughts on the trial with us at [email protected].