In a trial that has nearly generated as much focus on it as that of Donald Trump’s recent legal travails or the late O.J. Simpson’s double murder trial, the jury took the first step in deciding Hunter Biden’s legal fate today by finding him guilty on all three gun charges he was facing. But amidst all the media banter and speculation, the Wall Street Journal reports, Biden has found support among an unusual group of allies—American gun owners.
Despite many of those same gun owners detesting Biden for any host of personal and political flaws or for the simple fact that he is the current sitting president’s son and believed to have committed any number of treasonous acts that helped line his and his father’s pockets (all still allegations at this point), they support Biden on this one principal: his gun rights were attacked and ultimately violated.
The WSJ article spoke with famed shooting YouTuber Iraqveteran8888 and began their examination of this political phenomenon like this:
The recent tweet proclaiming “Free Hunter Biden” originated from an unusual source: a popular conservative YouTube personality known as Iraqveteran8888.
Eric Blandford, whose 2.7 million subscribers tune in to watch him shoot guns and shoot-the-breeze about politics, is no fan of President Biden or his son (He called the younger Biden “the deepest swamp monster”).
But in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Blandford said he believes that the law being used to prosecute Hunter Biden that forbids illicit drug users from owning firearms is unconstitutional, and says he hopes Biden will be vindicated in the U.S. Justice Department’s trial now under way against him in Delaware.
“It’s easy to say, ‘Well, screw Biden and we should throw the book at him,’” said Blandford, who also serves as the Georgia state director for Gun Owners of America, which reports two million paying members. “Well, if they throw the book at the prince in every little way that they can, what are they going to do to you?”
In an unusual break from the predictable, reflexive battles between the American left and right, prominent gun rights advocates are now rallying around Hunter Biden, whose trial has run several days, with closing arguments taking place Monday. Though they view his father as one of the biggest threats to the Second Amendment, they are standing behind his son on principle.
“Hunter Biden is innocent,” said CJ Grisham, a Texas attorney and an early leader in the movement to carry guns in public. “I think Hunter Biden is a despicable person and I definitely don’t believe in his politics but the fact of the matter is he is charged with a bogus crime.”
Federal prosecutors have won convictions against Hunter Biden, 54, who a jury has now decided lied about his drug use when purchasing a revolver in 2018, despite his acknowledged crack cocaine addiction at the time. He currently faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000. Biden pled not guilty to the charges. Sentencing the judge said “is usually set for 120 days following a verdict, which would mean sentencing” would take place about mid-October, mere weeks before the 2024 Election Day in which his father hopes to win a second term, CNN is reporting.
The case has led to an interesting split of opinions among gun rights advocates. Figures like Eric Blandford and CJ Grisham argue the law used against Biden is unconstitutional and that his prosecution sets a dangerous precedent for gun owners. They admit they face pushback from conservative circles, where supporting Biden is seen as controversial. Blandford explains, “Of course, people are going to say, ‘Why do you support Hunter Biden? He’s the enemy.’”
In contrast, the NRA supports Biden’s prosecution, stating it exemplifies the need for firearm prohibitions for drug users. John Crump over at AmmoLand notes the division within the gun community: some advocate for equal legal treatment, while others oppose prosecuting anyone under what they see as an unjust law.
Crump, in his article “Hunter Biden: You Must Acquit, the Law’s Not Legit,” argues that the prohibition on drug users owning guns lacks historical precedent as required by the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision. Since Bruen, several courts have dismissed cases against individuals charged under similar bans.
Ironically, gun-control groups, such as Everytown for Gun Safety, which rarely fail to piggyback their anti-gun messaging onto any firearms-related news story, have remained silent on the Hunter Biden case. President Biden, who has prioritized gun control during his term, pushing significant legislation and executive orders, is scheduled to speak at Everytown’s conference today. It’s ironic that speech will fall on the same day his son is declared guilty of violating gun laws.
Before the trial, Hunter Biden’s lawyers argued the ban on drug users from purchasing and possessing firearms was unconstitutional. They will likely appeal the ruling now that Biden has been convicted.
Meanwhile, gun groups like Gun Owners of America, led by Erich Pratt, are prepared to support Biden in higher courts, although they are not prepared to start selling “Free Hunter” merchandise.
“We know our market and that’s probably not something that people would care to wear,” he told the WSJ.
Read the full article here