In an interesting move last week, the United States Supreme Court agreed to consider whether our government may forbid people subject to domestic violence orders to possess firearms. The high court’s decision comes at a time when there is a huge concern – countrywide – about gun violence. The U.S. Supreme Court court has only made two significant Second Amendment decisions since 2008. Last year it set a new standard wherein courts must currently evaluate gun restriction rights by assessing whether the regulation is consistent with our nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulations. In essence, the constitutionality of any gun control regulation depends on whether there were analogous laws during the 18th and 19th centuries; in short, our government must point to a well-established and representative analogue. What brought all this to the forefront? Well, in March of this year a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit said that the new standard outlined by the Supreme Court required that it strike down a federal law prohibiting people subject to domestic violence orders from possessing firearms because there was no historical support for it. Now the Supreme Court most likely will be required to clarify the standard it set last year. It will be interesting to see how things all play out considering the enormous concern about gun control or the lack thereof in-and-around our country now.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge (whether it involves domestic violence, a gun or otherwise), immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
