PA Appeals Court Expands Firearms Rights.
On the strength of the United States Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Bruen, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Pennsylvania, has held that a man convicted of making a false statement to obtain food stamps may possess firearms, even though his conviction was classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years' imprisonment. Previously such a conviction would have prohibited the plaintiff’s possession of firearms based on existing Third Circuit precedent.
The court limited its decision to the plaintiff, Bryan Range, holding that the Government had not shown that the Nation's historical tradition of firearms regulation supports depriving Range of his Second Amendment right to possess a firearm.
Scaringi Law has experience in restoring the 2nd Amendment rights of Pennsylvanians convicted of non-violent offenses that otherwise disqualifies them under federal law from possessing firearms. These are called “as applied” challenges to the federal Gun Control Act. We file these challenges in federal court. We are very pleased with this decision by the Third Circuit because it supports our clients’ positions in these cases.
If you have been convicted of a non-violent offense that disqualifies you under federal law from possession firearms and wish to learn more about how you may be able to restore your 2nd Amendment rights, do not hesitate to contact Scaringi Law at 717-657-7770.