SCOTUS Gun Watch - Week of 5/1/23
The Court has requested a response in Vullo and set the response deadline for May 24, although a motion was filed to extend that date to June 23.
In Cargill, a case dealing with ATF's rule criminalizing possession of bump stock devices, the Court granted a motion to extend Cargill's response deadline to June 7. On April 25, a unanimous panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held the bump-stock ban unconstitutional in a published decision in Hardin v. ATF. The Sixth Circuit panel relied on the rule of lenity, which requires clear and unambiguous statutory coverage when a regulation imposes criminal penalties for specific conduct. The decision in Hardin deepens the circuit split over the bump-stock ban's legality and appreciably increases the odds that the Court will decide to grant certiorari in Cargill.
We are also adding one new case to the tracker this week: Seekins v. United States. The petitioner in Seekins was arrested, charged and convicted after a trial of possessing ammunition as a felon in violation of 922(g)(1). The petitioner was a homeless individual who had retrieved a shotgun shell from a dumpster. Seekins argued on appeal, and argues in his petition for certiorari, that "the application of § 922(g)(1) . . . on these facts is an unconstitutional extension of Congress’ Commerce Clause powers."
Petitions Pending
|
Case |
Ct. Below |
Pet. Filed |
Implicated Law/Issue |
Status |
|
(22-976) |
5th Cir. |
6-Apr-2023 |
Whether a bump stock devices constitutes a "machinegun" as defined by federal legislation, and whether ATF acted outside of its statutory authorization in banning bump stocks via regulation. |
Response due 7-June-2023 |
|
(22-915) |
5th Cir. |
17-Mar-2023 |
Facial constitutional challenge to § 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(8) under the Second Amendment. |
Response due 23-May-2023 |
|
(22-6853) |
5th Cir. |
21-Feb-2023 |
As-applied commerce clause challenge to 922(g)(1). |
Response requested, due 22-May-2023 |
|
The National Rifle Association of America (22-842) |
2d Cir. |
7-Feb-2023 |
First Amendment challenge by the NRA to state government guidance and press urging banks and insurance companies to consider the reputational risks of doing business with gun-rights organizations. |
Response requested, currently due 24-May-2023 |
|
(22-49) |
2d Cir. |
15-July-2022 |
Whether 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(D)(ii) requires consecutive sentences be imposed for a defendant convicted and sentenced under 924(j). |
Argued 28-Mar-2023 |
Petitions Disposed
|
Case |
Ct. Below |
Pet. Filed |
Implicated Law/Issue |
Status |
|
(20-902) |
11th Cir. |
29-Dec-20 |
As-applied challenge to 922(g)(1) |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-1122) |
App. Ct. Mass. |
2-Nov-20 |
Challenge to Mass. firearm storage law |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-782) |
3d Cir. |
3-Dec-20 |
As-applied challenge to 922(g)(1) |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-819) |
9th Cir. |
9-Dec-20 |
As-applied challenge to 922(g)(4) |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-812) |
3d Cir. |
11-Dec-20 |
As-applied challenge to 922(g)(1) |
Cert Denied |
|
(19-8709) |
11th Cir. |
8-Jun-2020 |
Scope of appellate review for Rehaif errors |
Decided 14-June-2021 |
|
(20-157) |
1st Cir. |
10-Aug-20 |
Fourth Amendment challenge to gun removal |
Decided 17-May-2021 |
|
(20-171) |
6th Cir. |
13-Aug-20 |
Guilty plea under 922(g) without knowledge of disqualifying status
|
Cert Denied |
|
(20-444) |
4th Cir. |
5-Oct-20 |
Guilty plea under 922(g) without being informed that knowledge is an element of the offense (Govt is petitioner) |
Decided 14-June-2021 |
|
(19-1057) |
9th Cir. |
21-Feb-20 |
Warrantless search and seizure of firearms under Fourth Amendment |
Cert Denied |
|
(19-1390) |
4th. Cir. |
12-Jun-20 |
Vagueness challenge to the Armed Career Criminal Act’s elements clause |
Cert Denied |
|
(19-1418) |
Neb. Sup. Ct. |
22-June-20
|
Second and Sixth Amendment challenge to jury-less conviction that can result in gun disqualifer for juveniles |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-416) |
10th Cir. |
24-Sep-20 |
Federal court abstention over Second Amendment claims being adjudicated in state court |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-5579) |
9th Cir. |
27-Aug-20 |
As-applied challenge to 922(g)(1) |
Cert Denied |
|
E.H. v. Florida Dept. Ag. (Pro se) (20-627) |
Fla. Ct. App. |
9-Oct-20 |
Challenge to firearm license denial based on prior mental health commitment |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-522) |
6th Cir. |
16-Oct-20 |
Challenge to ACCA enhancement |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-6046) |
5th Cir. |
13-Oct-20 |
As-applied challenge to 922(g)(8) |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-550) |
5th Cir. |
21-Oct-20 |
Challenge to conviction based on misstatements on Form 4473 (req’d for purchase at a gun dealer) |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-840) |
11th Cir. |
17-Dec-20 |
Fourth Amendment challenge to use of deadly force against person with holstered weapon |
Cert Denied |
|
Libertarian Party of Erie County v. Cuomo (20-1151) |
2d Cir. |
9-Feb-21 |
Challenge to New York’s pistol permit regime |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-1298) |
6th Cir. |
16-Mar-21 |
Failure to give self-defense instruction |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-1419) |
N.J. Superior Ct. |
2-Apr-21 |
Challenge to New Jersey’s good cause public carry law |
Cert Denied |
|
Reyes-Torres, v. United States (20-7714) |
5th Cir. |
5- Apr-2021 |
Challenge to § 922(g)(5) (federal law barring undocumented immigrants from possessing firearms) |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-1640) |
Ohio Sup. Ct. |
21-May-21 |
Challenge to Ohio law barring carrying/using firearms while intoxicated |
Cert Denied |
|
(20-1706) |
Wisc. Sup. Ct. |
4-June-2021 |
Challenge to state law prohibiting firearm possession by non-violent felon |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-104) |
4th Cir. |
22-July-2021 |
As-applied challenge to § 922(g)(9) (conviction for misdemeanor domestic violence offense) |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-514) |
2d Cir. |
4-Oct-2021 |
Fourth Amendment and due process challenges to New York policies about the return of firearms after disqualification |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-175) |
N.J. Superior Ct. |
4-Aug-2021 |
Challenge to N.J. law permitting firearms seizure/prohibiting possession pursuant to DV restraining order |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-667) |
Minn. Sup. Ct. |
1-Nov-2021 |
Challenge to Minnesota’s requirement that a person get a permit to carry in public |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-910) |
Wash. Ct. App. |
16-Dec-2021 |
Challenge to Seattle ordinance barring the public carry of certain knives |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-1155) |
4th Cir. |
17-Feb-2022 |
Challenge to 4th Circuit decision vacating opinion striking down under-21 handgun purchase ban |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-895) |
9th Cir. |
13-Dec-2021 |
Challenge to arrest on weapons’ charges given the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-1249) |
Mass. App. Ct. |
1-Mar-2022 |
Challenge to permit requirement for home firearm possession |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-1341) |
7th Cir. |
4-Apr-2022 |
Challenge to trial questioning about “illegal” gun that was lawfully licensed |
Cert Denied |
|
Missouri Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel (21-1440) |
Mo. Sup. Ct. |
9-May-2022 |
Challenge to attorney discipline for firearms-related conduct on Second Amendment and due process grounds |
Cert Denied |
|
New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (20-843) |
2d Cir. |
17-Dec-20 |
Challenge to New York’s good cause public carry regime |
Decided 23-June-2022 |
|
Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs v. Bruck (20-1507) |
3d Cir. |
26-Apr-21 |
Challenge to New Jersey ban on magazines holding 10 rounds or more |
Granted, vacated and remanded 30-June 2022 |
|
(20-1639) |
9th Cir. |
11-May-21 |
Challenge to Hawaii’s restrictive open carry law |
Granted, vacated and remanded 30-June 2022 |
|
(21-902) |
4th Cir. |
16-Dec-2021 |
Challenge to Maryland’s assault weapons ban and to the methodology used for 2A questions |
Granted, vacated and remanded 30-June 2022 |
|
(21-1194) |
9th Cir. |
28-Feb-2022 |
Challenge to California ban on magazines holding 10 rounds or more |
Granted, vacated and remanded 30-June 2022 |
|
(21-159) |
10th Cir. |
2-Aug-2021 |
Challenge to agency deference re the bump stock ban |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-1160) |
1st Cir. |
13-Dec-2022 |
Challenge to Massachusetts’ bar on handgun purchases for those with nonviolent misdemeanors |
Granted, vacated and remanded 03-Oct-2022 |
|
Gun Owners of America v. Garland (21-1215) |
6th Cir. |
3-Mar-2022 |
Challenge to the bump stock ban |
Cert Denied |
|
District of Columbia Concealed Pistol Licensing Review Board (21-1545) |
D.C. Ct. App. |
7-Jun-2022 |
Challenge to DC gun license revocation standard |
Cert Denied |
|
(21-1522) |
2d Cir. |
31-May-2022 |
Challenge to warrantless home entry to seize firearms |
Cert Denied |
|
McCutchen, et al.; The Modern Sportsman, et al. (22-25) |
Fed Cir. |
8-July-2022 |
Challenge to ATF bump stock ban under 5th Amendment takings clause |
Cert Denied |
|
(22-76) |
8th Cir. |
26-July-2022 |
As-applied challenge to 922(g)(3) and definition of "unlawful user of . . . any controlled substance" |
Cert Denied |
|
Md. Ct. App. |
13-Oct-2022 |
Challenge to Maryland jury instructions for possessing firearm after conviction for a crime of violence |
Cert Denied |
|
|
City of New York License Division of the NYPD (21-1495) |
NY App. Ct. |
10-May-2022 |
Challenge to NYC gun license denial |
Cert Denied |
|
(22A557 - emergency application) |
2d Cir. |
21-Dec-2022 |
Application to lift stay of district court preliminary injunction pending appeal (NY post-Bruen gun law) |
Denied 11-Jan-2023; Justice Alito issued a separate statement (joined by Justice Thomas) |
|
(22-478) |
3d Cir. |
13-May-2022 |
Challenge to NJ extreme-risk-protection law under Fourth Amendment / Younger abstention |
Cert Denied |
|
(22A591 - emergency application) |
2d Cir. |
29-Dec-2022 |
Application to reverse district court order denying preliminary injunction and enter administrative stay (NY commercial gun regulations) |
Denied 18-Jan-2023 |
|
(22-586) |
6th Cir. |
21-Dec-2022 |
Mootness of challenge to Michigan COVID-19 restrictions, including Second Amendment challenge to order closing gun stores |
Cert Denied |
|
(22-806) |
1st Cir. |
17-Feb-2023 |
Whether the Massachusetts state crime of straight assault becomes a violent felony that satisfies the ACCA's force requirement because it was committed with a dangerous weapon. |
Cert Denied |
|
(22-622) |
2d Cir. |
4-Jan-2023 |
Second Amendment, Fifth Amendment, and vagueness challenge by New York firearms dealers to state regulations on the commercial sale of firearms. |
Cert Denied |