As Congress prepares to tackle gun control in the aftermath of the Newtown tragedy, the Supreme Court is also deciding whether or not to have its say on the issue.

Gun rights advocates are trying to get the Supreme Court to hear their challenge against a New York state law that essentially bans carrying guns in public. Under the law, the state can deny concealed carry permits to users unless they can show “special need for self-protection.”

Recent Supreme Court gun control cases have gone in favor of gun rights supporters, and they are hoping this trend will continue. In 2008, a 5-4 decision by the court ruled that Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns was unconstitutional. In the majority decision, Justice Antonin Scalia said the Second Amendment created a “right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation.” Read 

Tourists hoping to see new and interesting exhibits at one of Washington, D.C.’s world-class museums had better hurry.

On Tuesday, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution warned Congress that the museum will soon start closing some galleries due to sequester-mandated budget cuts. The gallery closures, which will be shifted on a periodic basis, are scheduled to begin next month, the Associated Press noted.

Sequester-related federal spending cuts have slashed the Smithsonian’s annual budget by $41 million. The venerable institution has been forced to reduce the amount of security it can provide for gallery visitors, leading to the gallery closures. Read 

Ann Coulter is at it again.

The conservative columnist has stirred up more controversy after her latest column, posted on her web site and Fox Nation’s web site, suggested that Sen. John McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain, be murdered.

More specifically, Coulter framed it as a response to MSNBC commentator Martin Bashir, who had earlier wondered if Republican senators would only vote for gun control bills if members of their families were killed by guns. Coulter had this reply: Read 

Former President George W. Bush’s presidential library will have a hefty endowment when it opens in May. According to an article in Time magazine, Bush raised more than $500 million on behalf of the library.

This is a fairly impressive post-presidency fundraising feat. Former President Bill Clinton only barely raised the $165 million necessary to open his library in Little Rock, Ark. by the time it opened in 2004. In contrast, Bush has zoomed past the estimated $250 million it cost to build his library in Dallas, on the campus of Southern Methodist University. After covering construction and operating costs, any remainder from what Bush raised will go to his public policy foundation, the George W. Bush Institute.

Bush’s library and museum will be dedicated on April 25, and all five living presidents will be present for the ceremony. Read 

After unveiling his 2014 budget yesterday, President Barack Obama was immediately attacked by both the right and the left.

Conservatives are appalled that Obama continues to seek more revenue (higher taxes) and liberals are incensed that he has endorsed a benefit cut to Social Security recipients.

Optimists might see this as an opportunity for everyone to coalesce around that elusive “grand bargain” that many centrists have dreamed of. But a more realistic assessment of Obama’s budget suggests that there will not be an agreement anytime soon. Read 

Sequestration cuts have claimed another victim. The Navy’s stunt-flying team, the Blue Angels, has cancelled its remaining shows for 2013 due to those cuts.

The cancellation was announced today, and will affect over 30 shows that were planned through November of this year. This will save the Department of Defense between $20 and $25 million.

The Navy did release a statement explaining the particulars of why the shows were cancelled, saying “Recognizing budget realities, current Defense policy states that outreach events can only be supported with local assets at no cost to the government..” Obviously, most localities cannot afford to fuel and support jet fighter planes. Read