Fast facts: Ban on Nonviolent Felon Gun Possession Ruled Unconstitutional

  • The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in California ruled that the federal ban on possession of firearms by felons is unconstitutional as applied to the defendant in this case. 
  • The court based its decision on specific facts and historical context regarding the individual’s convictions. 
  • This ruling applies only within the Ninth Circuit and does not bind other federal circuits in the U.S. 
  • Nonviolent felons in other circuits should not assume this decision applies to them and should seek legal advice before possessing firearms. 
  • U.S. LawShield® members can contact an Independent Program Attorney for guidance on how this decision might affect them. 

The information provided herein is solely an overview intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal advice. All rights to this work are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without prior written consent. U.S. LawShield® and affiliated entities are not a law firm. Membership or participation in any U.S. LawShield program, including the Legal Defense for Self Defense® Program, EmergencyShield™ Program, and/or FFL DealerShield™ Program, is not a guarantee of any particular outcome. All legal services are provided by independent third-party program attorneys who are part of the program(s). Visit uslawshield.com for terms, conditions, restrictions, and insurance licensing information.