'Nobody is above the law': Internet divided as Hunter Biden requests new trial over federal gun charges citing procedural matter

On June 11, Hunter was found guilty of three felony counts over lying on federal forms about his drug use for the illegal purchase of a gun
PUBLISHED JUN 25, 2024
Hunter Biden has requested a new gun trial (Getty Images)
Hunter Biden has requested a new gun trial (Getty Images)

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE: President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden has requested a new trial on federal gun charges, citing a procedural matter on Monday, June 24.

On June 11, Hunter was found guilty of three felony counts over lying on federal forms about his drug use for the illegal purchase of a gun.

Hunter Biden's lawyer claims his conviction 'should be vacated'

Hunter's attorney Abbe Lowell's court filing on Monday claimed that the convictions “should be vacated” because the US Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit had not issued a formal mandate denying one of Hunter's appeals.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Hunter Biden arrives at the Thomas P. O'Neil Jr. House Office Building for a closed door deposition on February 28, 2024 in Washington DC. A mobile billboard sponsored by the Congressional Integrity Project circled the building during the deposition. The mobile billboard is calling on House Republicans to drop the impeachment inquiry of President Biden after their star witness Alexander Smirnov was charged with lying to the FBI and accusing him of being a Russian intelligence asset. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Integrity Project)
Hunter Biden was found guilty in the gun trial (Getty Images)

The lawyer wrote that this procedural oversight means the verdict should be considered void.

“Naturally, any district court action taken after it has been divested of jurisdiction by an appeal must be vacated,” wrote Lowell.

Hunter Biden's gun purchase

Hunter's legal troubles stem from a 2018 incident involving the purchase of a Colt Cobra 38 SPL revolver.

He falsely checked “no” on the federal gun purchase form when asked if he used or was addicted to illegal drugs. He then unlawfully possessed the revolver for 11 days.

The gun trial brought renewed attention to Hunter's struggles with addiction, particularly his well-documented cocaine use, which has been openly addressed by both Hunter and his father, Biden.

During the trial, three women from Hunter's past, including his ex-wife and his late brother Beau's widow, with whom he had a brief relationship, testified as part of the federal case.

Hunter faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and fines totaling $750,000.

However, it is uncommon for first-time offenders to receive the maximum penalty.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 18: Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, attends the Easter Egg Rol
Hunter Biden faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and fines totaling $750,000 (Getty Images)

The 54-year-old's sentence will be at the judge's discretion, and a sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

As per federal sentencing guidelines, a prison term of 15-21 months is recommended for defendants like Hunter, according to The Hill.

Internet doubles down on Hunter Biden requesting new gun trial after conviction

Reacting to Hunter requesting the trial over federal gun charges after conviction, one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "It was an open and shut case, and he has daddy as backup at the end of his term."



 

"Needs the “right”‘judge this time," a user tweeted while another user wrote, "Nobody is above the law!"



 



 

"Is this in case he gets convicted on his upcoming trial, the conviction/sentence won’t be as serious because technically he hasn’t been sentenced for his gun crimes," a netizen commented.



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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