Gambler With Criminal Record Gets New Shot to Challenge Gun Ban

A man with gambling convictions convinced the Third Circuit Monday that the lower court must reconsider whether a federal bar on felons possessing guns can constitutionally apply to him.

The district court must determine whether George Pitsilides presents a special danger of misusing guns before it can rule on enforcing the “felon-in-possession” against him, the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit said.

Pitsilides appealed the Middle District of Pennsylvania’s 2021 decision in favor of the government in his suit challenging the constitutionality of the statute. The restaurateur and professional poker player said he wished to ...