Domestic violence convicts seek Second Amendment rights in US Supreme Court

Bismarck, Arkansas – The most contentious case being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court right now is U.S. versus Rahimi, which concerns the rights of domestic abuse victims under the Second Amendment.

Rahimi maintains his right to carry a gun despite his conviction, but some argue that doing so could put victims of domestic abuse at risk.

Guns are a part of life for Mandan Sporting Goods owner Brandon Charvat. He thinks that anyone should be able to own a gun if they have never been convicted of a violent crime.

“It’s been our right since our forefathers put it in as an amendment. There should be nobody that should try and take that away or infringe on it,” said Charvat.

According to Kayla Jones of CAWS, a group against domestic abuse, allowing domestic abusers to own firearms could make the situation worse.

“It does increase the risk of fatality in victims,” said Jones.

According to Charvat, the person wielding the gun makes the decisions, not the weapon itself. Increased background and medical history checks, he claimed, could aid in the resolution of violent cases. According to him, the perpetrator of domestic abuse should be permitted to own a gun if there is no firearms involved.

“If he hit her or didn’t, or pushed her or whatever it takes to get a domestic violence, and that could have been 20 years ago or 25 years ago, that prohibits you for the rest of your life,” said Charvat.

Over 6,000 victims of domestic abuse received services from state crisis centers in the previous year. In 19% of the situations where weapons were reported, they were used.

“Whether that was a threat to maintain control or another scenario,” said Jones.

In May or June, the U.S. Supreme Court is anticipated to render a decision in this case.

Domestic abuse victims can get support and information by calling the Abused Adult Resource at 701-222-8370.