Court Dents California Law Barring Felons from Owning Guns

California violated the Second Amendment rights — by denying the right to own or possess firearms — of three individuals, including a former correctional officer, whose felony convictions were dismissed, vacated, or set aside, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

Judge James J. Donato , of the US District Court for the Northern District of California, granted summary judgment to the three men who challenged California Penal Code Section 29800, which prohibits individuals who have been convicted of felonies from owning or possessing firearms. California requires a criminal background check before a legal firearm purchase.

“California did not identify any ...