In a groundbreaking turn of events, Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, was convicted on three felony gun charges earlier this week. This marks the first time in American history that a president’s child has been found guilty of a crime during their father’s term in office.
The charges against Hunter Biden stem from a federal law that prohibits owning a weapon while being deemed an “unlawful user of or addicted to” illegal drugs. Biden was convicted of lying on a federal form when he denied using or being addicted to drugs as he purchased a revolver in 2018. At that time, he was struggling with an addiction to crack cocaine.
This significant development comes at a critical juncture as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on a high-profile Second Amendment case, US v. Rahimi. This case challenges a provision of the federal disarmament law that prohibits individuals who are the subject of domestic violence restraining orders from owning firearms. A victory for Rahimi in this case could impact Biden’s ability to appeal his conviction.
Legal experts believe that a favorable ruling in the Rahimi case may provide Biden with strong grounds to challenge the constitutionality of the drug prohibition that led to his conviction. The outcome of this case could potentially shape future interpretations of Second Amendment rights and restrictions on gun ownership.
Furthermore, Biden’s legal team may also draw on a recent Second Amendment ruling from 2022, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which emphasized the importance of laws being consistent with historical traditions. This ruling, along with a precedent set by US v. Daniels, where a federal prohibition on gun ownership by individuals addicted to drugs was deemed unconstitutional by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, could bolster Biden’s appeal efforts.
While the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the Rahimi case by the end of the month, the broader implications for Second Amendment rights and gun regulations remain uncertain. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching effects on not only Hunter Biden’s legal situation but also on the interpretation of gun laws across the nation.
