A panel of 12 Delaware citizens will commence deliberations in the federal gun trial against Hunter Biden following the conclusion of closing arguments from both sides.
This historic trial marks the first instance in American history where the child of a sitting president is facing legal proceedings. The charges were brought forth by the Justice Department, spearheaded by David Weiss, the special counsel appointed to oversee the Hunter Biden investigations.
At 54 years old, Hunter Biden stands accused of unlawfully purchasing and possessing a firearm while allegedly struggling with substance abuse issues, a violation of federal statutes. Despite pleading not guilty to the three charges, Hunter Biden has been candid about his battles with alcohol and crack cocaine addiction.
The initial two charges in the indictment are linked to the procurement of the firearm. When an individual buys a gun, they are required to complete a form with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, affirming their legal eligibility to make the purchase. Hunter Biden is alleged to have provided false information on these forms.
These forms typically inquire about past felony convictions, fugitive status, unlawful presence in the country, and crucially for this case, drug abuse or addiction. Hunter Biden purportedly indicated 'No' to being an 'unlawful user of, or addicted to' illegal substances.
The third count pertains to the possession of the firearm. Federal law prohibits individuals from possessing guns while abusing drugs. Hunter Biden reportedly had the gun in his possession for 11 days in October 2018 before his girlfriend disposed of it in a dumpster due to concerns about his well-being.
Nabeel Kibria, a seasoned defense attorney based in Washington, DC, with extensive experience in handling gun-related cases, emphasized the inherent risks associated with firearms falling into inappropriate hands. While the evidence appears compelling against Hunter Biden, questions remain about the criteria for identifying addiction and the precise guidelines that must be adhered to in such cases.
