Gun advocacy groups are finding themselves in an unusual position as they react to the firearms charges brought against Hunter Biden. Despite their opposition to gun control laws, these groups are weighing in on the indictment of the president’s son.
One such group, the Gun Owners of America, wasted no time in addressing the issue. Notably, President Joe Biden has been a vocal advocate for tougher gun safety laws. Erich Pratt, the senior vice president of the Gun Owners of America, emphasized their stance in a statement following Hunter Biden’s indictment. Pratt stated, “Gun Owners of America opposes all gun control, but so long as this President continues to use every tool at his disposal to harass and criminalize guns, gun owners and gun dealers, his son should be receiving the same treatment and scrutiny as all of us.”
On the other hand, the National Rifle Association (NRA) adopted a more measured tone but conveyed a similar message. NRA spokesman Billy McLaughlin highlighted the importance of applying laws consistently, stating, “Laws should be applied equally against all criminals.”
The charges against Hunter Biden were handed down in federal court in Delaware and include three counts related to the possession of a firearm while using narcotics. Two of these counts stem from a federally mandated form that Biden completed, falsely stating that he was not using illegal drugs when purchasing a Colt Cobra revolver from a licensed gun store in October 2018. The third count alleges that he possessed a firearm while using a narcotic. The potential penalties for these charges range from five to ten years in prison. Legal experts have noted that such charges are uncommon when brought as standalone charges against individuals without a criminal record.
In July, Hunter Biden had entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors, which would have led to the dismissal of the gun case if he remained out of legal trouble and refrained from purchasing firearms for two years. However, negotiations for the agreement fell apart in August.
A court filing in the case revealed that Biden had been using crack cocaine during the period when he acquired the revolver in 2018 and falsely denied drug use on the federal form. He possessed the firearm for 11 days during which he regularly used crack cocaine. Eventually, the gun, along with drug paraphernalia, was discovered in his car and later discarded in a trashcan outside a Delaware supermarket.
Interestingly, Hunter Biden’s defense strategy may align with the goals of Second Amendment advocates, despite his father’s calls for tougher gun laws. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, announced plans to challenge the constitutionality of the laws under which Hunter Biden is charged. Lowell referenced “recent rulings by several federal courts that this statute is unconstitutional.” These rulings were influenced by a U.S. Supreme Court decision from the previous year that expanded gun rights. President Biden had expressed disappointment with the high court’s ruling, asserting that it contradicted common sense and the Constitution, a sentiment that continues to fuel the ongoing debate over the Second Amendment.
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