The case of Sessions vs. Binderup puts the new administration in a potentially awkward spot, considering President Trump’s repeated assurances during the campaign that he would protect gun-ownership rights under the 2nd Amendment.
But the Justice Department under Trump has embraced the same position in this case that was adopted under President Obama: to defend strict enforcement of a long-standing federal law that bars convicted criminals from ever owning a gun, even when their crimes did not involve violence.
The decision is in keeping with Justice Department tradition to defend federal laws in court, even if the administration may not be enthused with the statute.
Attorney Alan Gura, a gun rights advocate who represents the two men, said he was disappointed but not surprised.
