Wisconsin Domestic Violence Conviction Gun Ban Approved
In the fall out of last month’s Supreme Court ruling on gun rights, gun right advocates are watching all related cases closely to see just how much of an impact the case has. A recent case out of Wisconsin has held a weapons restriction on domestic violence offenders to be okay.
In McDonald v. Chicago the United States Supreme Court voted 5-4 that a citywide ban on firearms was illegal, infringing on the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. While the court found states could make reasonable regulations, an all out ban was ruled unconstitutional. Now, in courts across the country, decisions are being made as to what regulations can be considered “reasonable.”
Case in point: Can domestic violence offenders face a lifetime ban on owning firearms? The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals says yes.
The case in question involved a man who was convicted of possessing a shotgun while on probation for domestic violence. He was ultimately sentenced to 2 years in prison. Initially, the Appeals Court overturned the conviction, stating the prosecution needed to show the relation between gun possessions and reducing the chances of domestic crime.
This time, however, the court sided with the prosecution, reinstating the original convictions and sentence. They ruled that if a ban on nonviolent felons owning firearms was considered reasonable, than a ban on domestic violence offenders are as well.
Additions cases similar to this should be hitting the court systems nationwide, as states fight to define what can be reasonably regulated in reference to the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.
The Chicago gun ban had normally law-abiding citizens breaking the law to keep a gun in their home for self defense. Now the city of Chicago is passing updated laws to tighten just how people are allowed to obtain and possess the guns.
Balancing the right to bear arms with public safety and criminal law is no easy task. It isn’t hard to run afoul of gun laws because there are so many regulations. However, if convicted of a weapons offense, you may be looking at a lengthy prison sentence and a permanent criminal record.
If you’re facing gun charges or domestic violence charges, I can help. Contact me today for a free consultation on your case.
