Federal Judge Rules on Gun Rights of Illegal Immigrants
A federal judge in Illinois ruled that a federal prohibition on illegal immigrants owning firearms is unconstitutional as applied to a specific case. The judge cited a landmark Supreme Court decision and found that the defendant's Second Amendment rights should not be deprived based on his noncitizen status.
Key Points
- Federal prohibition on illegal immigrants owning firearms ruled unconstitutional in specific case
- Judge cited Supreme Court decision in support of the ruling
- Defendant's lack of criminal record and self-defense argument factored into the decision
Pros
- Upholds Second Amendment rights for noncitizens in certain cases
- Recognizes the right to self-defense for all individuals
Cons
- Controversial decision that has divided gun rights activists