The Fourth Circuit Court ruled that a law barring individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from obtaining firearms is constitutional, affirming its alignment with historic gun regulations. The case arose when David Nutter challenged his indictment for possessing firearms, citing a Supreme Court decision requiring firearm regulations to reflect the nation’s historical context, but the court found that such prohibitions are consistent with the intention to prevent violence.
This ruling signifies a broader trend in gun legislation, reflecting an ongoing effort to address gun violence linked to domestic abuse. Judge Steven Agee emphasized that arguments regarding an individual’s rehabilitation or the elapsed time since their conviction do not undermine the statute’s validity, highlighting the government’s position that “the presence of a gun accompanies the use of physical force,” thereby increasing the risk of serious harm.
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