Illinois Federal Judge Says Felons Have Right to Own Firearms

The federal law that criminalizes possession of a firearm by convicted felons violates the Second Amendment under US Supreme Court precedent, a federal court said Friday.

Defendant Jordan Cook was charged with one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C.§ 922(g)(1), which prohibits those with felony convictions from possessing firearms. Cook, whose criminal record includes three prior felony convictions, moved to dismiss the indictment, alleging the pending charge violated his rights under the Second Amendment to the US Constitution.

In District of Columbia v. Heller, the US Supreme Court said ...