PHILADELPHIA, PA (June 11, 2024) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of a brief in Williams v. Garland, an FPC-backed lawsuit which challenges the federal government’s lifetime ban on the exercise of Second Amendment protected rights due to a misdemeanor conviction of a non-violent crime.

Following a 2005 trial, Edward Williams was convicted of driving under the influence in Pennsylvania. Because he had a previous DUI that was expunged, the 2005 conviction qualified as a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of up to five years’ imprisonment. However, he was never imprisoned and was instead placed under house arrest for 90 days, ordered to pay costs, a fine of $1,500, and to complete any recommended drug and alcohol treatment under the mandatory minimum sentence.

“The federal government’s immoral ban is unconstitutional and has no historical basis,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “We will continue to work to eliminate this and other gun control laws that separate people from their rights.”     

Throughout, FPC’s brief highlights that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen made clear that a firearm regulation can be upheld only if the government demonstrates that it is consistent with our Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.

“The government has never met its burden in this case,” said attorney and FPC Action Foundation President Cody J. Wisniewski, President of FPCAF. “This ban is a clear violation of Mr. Williams’s constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms.”

The plaintiff, Edward Williams, is represented by attorney Joshua Prince. FPC is represented by FPC Action Foundation attorney and President Cody Wisniewski. 

Individuals who want to support this and other cases can join the FPC Grassroots Army at JoinFPC.org or make a tax-deductible donation to the FPC Action Foundation here.

Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit membership organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutional rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. For more about our work follow FPC on Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube.

FPC Action Foundation (FPCActionFoundation.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty through charitable legal action, public policy, education, and research programs.