The Preamblist Movement has launched its inaugural essay competition so we can hear your ideas on how to solve one of today's biggest political problems using the preambles to the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The first prize will be: a $500 check, a publication clearly attributed to your name on our website (www.preamblism.org), and a t-shirt of your choice from our website.

The winning essay must follow these rules and should follow these guidelines:

  1. The essay should be between 1000 to 2000 words excluding footnotes. Essays longer than 2000 words will not be considered. 

  2. Your essay should answer, clearly and succinctly, the question posed.  Structure the essay to allow for a disciplined analysis that provides a convincing foundation for your position. Judiciously draw on key scholarly works and appropriate empirical information. We are more likely to award the prize to a nuanced essay based in theory and empirics rather than dogmatic ideology. Winning essays will also include recommendations as well as their costs and benefits.

  3. The essay should incorporate the words and the theory of the Preamble to the Constitution and the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence for these contain the values that we are trying to promote. The essay should also clearly reference the aspects of this website that you believe relate to your points even if its to disagree with the website (we can handle disagreement!).

  4. Your paper should:

  • Include your full name as you would like it to appear on the website if you win

  • Be double-spaced

  • Include page numbers

  • Contain text in Times New Roman, size 12 font

  • Possess one-inch margins

  • Include your email address and your hometown. If it's outside the United States, please state the country. 

  • State your highest degree of education so far and whether you are currently enrolled in a school and if so, which one: e.g. "I received a high school diploma and I am currently seeking a Bachelor of Arts at University of _____" 

  • List the word count.

  1. Any social science citation style is acceptable as long as it is used correctly and consistently. 

  2. We will perform checks for plagiarism.

  3. In the same document as your essay but on a separate page, please write the following:

    1. A statement that, should you win, you permit us to publish your essay (with grammar and spelling corrections) on www.Preamblism.org attributed to your full name. 

    2. A statement that you have not plagiarized any part of this essay and that you have footnoted all sources. 

    3. To help us improve: 

      • What do you think is most effective about our website and mission and social media posts, what is least effective, and what would make us more effective in spreading our message?

      • Besides improving the website, what can we do to more effectively spread our message and grow membership beyond what we have already done? (see social media posts page of website for some of what we have already done).

  4. Due to limits on our time, if you do not win, we will not issue nor are we obliged to issue explanations as to why.

  5. To submit your essay, please email it to Preamblism@gmail.com.

  6. All essays must be submitted by 11:59pm U.S. eastern time by February 28, 2024. The filename of your essay should be: YourLastNameFall2024.

  7. There is no cost for entry. 

The Fall 2024 Essay Topic Is:

What do the Preambles Imply About Gun Control? Use the words of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution to state a position on gun rights and gun control. Specifically:, what do the Preambles imply about how far the government can go in restricting gun rights? What do the Preambles imply about how far the government can go in restricting gun rights in the interest of safety? What do the Preambles imply about the right of an individual to "keep and bear arms" for the purpose of self-defense? What do the Preambles imply about how far the government can go in restricting types of firearms (e.g. machine guns, ghost guns) and accessories (e.g. bump stocks)? As you answer, reference even if briefly and clearly call out your references to each of the following:

  • The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

  • The Preamble to the Constitution

  • The Second Amendment to the Constitution

  • The parts of this website you think apply

  • Supreme Court Opinions:  

    • Garland v. Cargill (2024)

    • United States v. Rahimi (2024)

    • NY State Rifle & Pistol Association Bruen (2022).

    • District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

    • United States v. Miller (1939)

  • Active Supreme Court Cases:

    • Garland v. VanDerStok