Court: 2nd Amendment Doesn't Protect Illegal Aliens

by
posted on May 10, 2012
sinews.jpg (155)

Emmanuel Huitron-Guizar, 24, pleaded guilty to being an illegal immigrant in possession of firearms after his 2011 arrest in Wyoming. He was subsequently sentenced to serve 11 months at the Natrona County Detention Center.

Acting on a warrant, federal agents searched Huitron-Guizar's home last year and found a rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and a semi-automatic pistol and charged him with illegal weapons possession.

The attorney for Huitron-Guizar appealed the case, arguing illegal immigrants should have the same rights as U.S. citizens to purchase and own guns for hunting and personal protection.

This week, the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Denver agreed with the original prison sentence imposed by a Wyoming federal judge, ruling illegal immigrants may be prohibited from possessing firearms under laws passed by Congress that bar certain groups from gun ownership.

In its opinion, the Court further ruled even non-citizens in the United States on legitimate visas face similar restrictions on firearms possession and ownership.

"Even those admitted on non-immigrant visas ... are prohibited from having firearms and ammunition unless they secure a special waiver or happen to be hunters or diplomatic or law-enforcement officials here on business," the three-judge panel wrote.

Huitron-Guizar's attorney, Ronald Pretty of Cheyenne, Wyo., says he plans to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Latest

Armed Citizen response
Armed Citizen response

Study Finds Armed Civilians More Effective at Stopping Active Shooters than LE

A dispersed response works very well against a dispersed threat.

First Look: Silencer Central Banish 30-V2 Suppressor

Now available with the HUB mount for greater flexibility.

First Look: CZ Shadow 2 Carry

A variant of the classic CZ-75 that's meant to go with you wherever you go.

Rifles: Stretch Yourself

While it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to take a defensive shot at 100 yards or farther, being able to make those hits means closer-range targets will seem easy.

First Look: Aguila 30 Round 5.56 NATO Ammo Packs

30 round magazine, 30 round packaging. Makes sense.

Skills Check: Near and Far

For us, “Drill Practice” is isolating an individual part of a skill and focusing intently on improving or mastering said skill. The goal with good drill practice is to maximize overall improvement while minimizing overall effort. Success equals consistency over time.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Illustrated delivered to your inbox.