US Supreme Court narrows law barring drug users from owning guns

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 21, 2024, that federal law does not automatically prohibit individuals who use marijuana from possessing firearms. The decision came in a case involving John "Donnie" Wood, a Louisiana man who pleaded guilty to possessing a handgun while being a user of marijuana, a federal crime. Wood argued that the law, which bans gun possession by unlawful users of controlled substances, is unconstitutionally vague. The Supreme Court agreed with Wood, stating that the "unlawful user" language in the Gun Control Act of 1968 requires proof that an individual actively uses drugs in a way that makes them dangerous with a firearm. Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the majority, noted that the "ordinary meaning" of the phrase suggests a person who "regularly or habitually uses" drugs. This ruling could impact thousands of federal prosecutions and potentially affect cases involving individuals like Hunter Biden, who has faced charges related to drug use and firearm possession. The Court's decision narrows the scope of the ban, emphasizing the need for a direct link between drug use and dangerousness.