Federal Gun-buying Ban Upheld for Medical Marijuana Cardholders:  A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that a federal ban on the sale of guns to medical marijuana card holders does not violate the Second Amendment.  The AP reports that the 3-0 ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over nine Western states that the ruling applies to, stems from a lawsuit filed by a Nevada woman who was denied the purchase of a firearm in 2011 after obtaining a medical marijuana card.  The 9th Circuit agreed with a previous ruling that the sale of guns to people who use marijuana and other drugs is reasonable, as drug use "raises the risk of irrational and unpredictable behavior with which gun use should not be associated."  While many states have legalized the use of medical marijuana, the drug is still illegal under federal law.

Aug. 2016 was Chicago's Bloodiest Month in Two Decades:  Chicago had its bloodiest month in two decades this August, following a deadly trend that has been seen month after month this year.  J.J. Gallagher of ABC News reports that last month, police recorded 90 homicides, 384 shootings and 472 total shooting victims.  This year, murders have spiked by 49% and shootings incidents increased 48% compared to the same period last year.  Additionally, 27 children younger than 13 have been shot, and police have logged a total of 468 murders and 2,848 shooting victims.  The city is on track to record its highest overall murder count since 2008, when 513 people were killed.  Annual murders peaked in 1992 at 940 and last topped 600 in 2003.