In a major decision, a U.S. appeals court has ruled that a Texas resident cannot be prosecuted under a federal law that prohibits drug users from owning firearms, stating that the law is unconstitutional when applied to individuals with past drug use.
This ruling follows a recent Supreme Court decision that broadened the interpretation of the Second Amendment.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the federal ban on firearm ownership for drug users should not apply to Texas resident Paola Connelly, as it unjustly targets individuals based on their previous drug habits.
Judge Kurt Engelhardt, writing for a three-judge panel, referenced the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights. He clarified that while current drug users may be barred from owning firearms, there is no historical precedent for disarming individuals who are no longer under the influence.
Connelly’s legal battle began after a December 2021 incident involving her husband, who was found firing a shotgun at a neighbor’s door. Despite the discovery of drug paraphernalia in their home, the court’s ruling has upheld Connelly’s right to own firearms, underscoring the limits of federal power in restricting gun ownership based on past marijuana use.
