Opinions Indicate an Openness to Making It Easier for Felons to Possess Firearms – Views That Could Make it Harder for Law Enforcement to Prosecute Gun Crimes and Undermine Public Safety
WASHINGTON – Everytown for Gun Safety, the country’s largest gun violence prevention organization, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown, released the following statements in response to President Donald Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
STATEMENT FROM JOHN FEINBLATT, PRESIDENT OF EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“Neil Gorsuch’s record on gun-related cases raises some serious questions and concerns. His past judgments appear to indicate an openness to making it easier for felons – people currently prohibited from possessing guns – to own guns. This is out of line with the vast majority of Americans and undermines law enforcement’s ability to prosecute gun crimes and preserve public safety. Our Senators have an obligation, on behalf of all Americans, to ask the tough questions about his views on the Second Amendment, his commitment to enforcing existing gun laws, and his dedication to protecting the public from gun violence.”
STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Historically, the Supreme Court – including conservative Justice Scalia – has continually reaffirmed that the Second Amendment doesn’t conflict with common-sense regulations preventing dangerous people from getting guns. Yet, Neil Gorsuch’s record on gun-related cases indicates some willingness to make it easier for felons to own guns – something that puts our families and communities at risk. As a concerned mother and gun violence prevention activist, the confirmation process must help us understand Gorsuch’s interpretation of the gun laws that have upheld American public safety for centuries. That is why our army of Moms Demand Action volunteers will send a message loud and clear to the Senate urging them to get to the bottom of where Gorsuch stands: on the side of the Constitution and public safety – or with the gun lobby?”
MORE INFORMATION ON NEIL GORSUCH’S SECOND AMENDMENT RECORD
Advocated for a tougher standard for the government to prosecute felons for possessing firearms [United States v. Games-Perez, 695 F.3d 1104 (10th Cir. 2012)]
- Dissented from decision not to review a case that convicted a felon for possessing a firearm.
- In his dissent, Gorsuch argued that in order to convict a felon for possession of a firearm, the government should be required to show that a defendant both knew he was a felon, and knew he possessed a firearm.
- Gorsuch entered a judgment for a defendant reversing his conviction and restoring his right to possess firearms after state had restored his right to vote, serve on a jury, possess firearms and his right to hold public office under state law.
Reversed a conviction for a felon in possession of a firearm because the defendant’s civil rights had been restored under state law [United States v. Reese, No. 12-2025 (10th Cir. 2014)]