Do convicted felons deserve guns too?

July 21, 2008

After reading about the disconcerting flesh-and-blood defense now being used by black defendants in Baltimore, another intriguing — and bit more credible — defense has caught my attention.

According to an AP story, several defendants in federal gun cases are now arguing that the recent Supreme Court decision overturning D.C.’s handgun ban allows convicted felons to keep loaded guns in their homes for self-defense.

Their defense lawyers argue that the decision makes federal laws prohibiting those convicted of felonies and domestic violence crimes from possessing handguns for any reason unconstitutional.

Do you think that the decision in D.C. v. Heller makes these blanket restrictions unconstitutional?

CHRISTINA DORAN, Assistant Legal Editor

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