Thomas Jefferson, We Have a Problem: The Unconstitutionality Nature of the U.S.'s Aerospace Export Control Regime as Supposed by Bernstein v. U.S. Department of Justice

Authors

Mike N. Gold, Bigelow Aerospace

Abstract

All men are created equal, except aerospace workers. This was not how the Declaration of Independence was written, but it is how the U.S. government is currently enforcing its aerospace-related export control restrictions. Specifically, under the auspices of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”)1 those in the aerospace workforce have unwittingly surrendered their First Amendment rights to free speech. This article will describe how the Ninth Circuit case of Bernstein v. U.S. Department of Justice2 clearly demonstrates the unconstitutional nature of the ITAR and will recommend reforms that would bring America's export control regime back into line with the nation's founding principles.

Recommended Citation

Mike N. Gold, Thomas Jefferson, We Have a Problem: The Unconstitutionality Nature of the U.S.'s Aerospace Export Control Regime as Supposed by Bernstein v. U.S. Department of Justice , 57 Clev. St. L. Rev. 629 (2009)
available at https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/clevstlrev/vol57/iss3/8