Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has aligned with 22 other attorneys general to defend a federal law barring felons from owning firearms. The coalition, led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, submitted an amicus brief in the case of U.S. v Prince, urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit to reverse a lower court decision that deemed the law unconstitutional.

"The federal felon-in-possession law is a commonsense solution that restricts firearm possession to law-abiding citizens," Nessel stated. "Nearly all states, including Michigan, have similar statutes on the books, which are critical to our efforts to protect public safety and prevent those who have demonstrated a disregard for the law from possessing weapons which could pose a threat to society. I stand firmly with my colleagues in asserting the constitutionality of the felon-in-possession law and its importance in protecting our families and communities."

The group argues that governments can enact regulations under the Second Amendment to ensure public safety. Most states have long-standing laws restricting firearm possession by felons. The attorneys general emphasize that while the federal restriction provides a clear standard, any alternative would be challenging to manage.

AG Nessel's participation in this brief aligns with her ongoing efforts against gun violence since taking office in 2019. Her initiatives include advocating for age restrictions on handgun sales, holding gun manufacturers accountable, removing ghost guns from streets, and banning firearms in state buildings.

Last September, AG Nessel testified before the Michigan Senate supporting gun safety laws aimed at increasing background checks and setting safe storage standards. This legislation was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in November 2023.

Nessel is joined by attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.