Hunter Biden Convicted on All Felony Gun Charges

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was convicted on all three felony gun charges by a federal jury in Delaware on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. This verdict marks a historic first for the child of a sitting U.S. president, as reported by CNN.

www.cnn.com reported, The charges stemmed from a 2018 firearm purchase where Biden allegedly lied about his drug use on a federal background check form. Court documents detailed that he purchased a Colt Cobra .38 revolver and possessed it for 11 days.

This conviction is unprecedented, as it is the first time a direct descendant of a sitting American president has been found guilty of a felony. The New York Times highlighted the profound personal and political implications of this verdict.

www.cnn.com noted, President Joe Biden released a statement expressing his love and support for his son, affirming his respect for the judicial process. The White House confirmed that the President would accept the outcome and would not pardon his son.

During the trial, prosecutors presented compelling evidence of Hunter Biden's active drug use around the time of the purchase. This included testimony from family members and excerpts from his own memoir, as detailed by The Wall Street Journal.

www.cnn.com reported, The defense argued that Biden did not knowingly lie on the federal form, suggesting he may not have considered himself an "addict" at the precise moment of the transaction. However, the jury ultimately rejected this argument.

Sentencing for the three felony counts will be determined by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika at a later date. Legal experts told Reuters that while the maximum penalty is significant, first-time, non-violent offenders often receive probation.

• www.cnn.com noted, Background of the Charges: Hunter Biden faced three specific federal charges: making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm, making a false statement related to information required to be kept by a federal firearms licensed dealer, and possession of a firearm by a person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance. These charges relate to his purchase of a Colt Cobra .38 revolver in October 2018, where he answered "no" to a question on ATF Form 4473 about unlawful drug use, as detailed by court records.

• Trial Proceedings and Evidence: The prosecution's case heavily relied on testimony from Hunter Biden's ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle; his former girlfriend, Zoe Kestan; and his sister-in-law, Hallie Biden, all of whom described his extensive crack cocaine use around 2018. Additionally, prosecutors used excerpts from Biden's memoir, Beautiful Things, where he openly discussed his struggles with addiction, to demonstrate his state of mind during the period of the gun purchase, The Wall Street Journal reported.

• www.cnn.com reported, Defense Strategy and Rebuttal: Hunter Biden's defense team, led by attorney Abbe Lowell, argued that he was not actively using drugs at the exact moment he purchased the gun, or that he did not perceive himself as an "addict" in the legal sense when filling out the form. They suggested that the question on the form was ambiguous and that his state of mind was complex. However, the jury found the prosecution's evidence of his continuous addiction more persuasive.

• Political and Historical Significance: This conviction holds immense political weight, marking the first time the child of a sitting U.S. president has been found guilty of a felony. Politico noted that this verdict could impact President Biden's re-election campaign, potentially fueling Republican narratives about the justice system, despite the fact that the conviction was against the president's own son, which complicates claims of political weaponization.

• www.cnn.com noted, Potential Sentencing and Appeals: While the three felony counts carry a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines, legal analysts widely anticipate a much lighter sentence, likely probation, given Hunter Biden's status as a first-time, non-violent offender. Sentencing guidelines often recommend less severe penalties in such cases. An appeal is highly probable, as his legal team has already indicated they will explore all available options, according to CNN.

• President Biden's Response and Family Support: President Joe Biden issued a statement reaffirming his love for his son and his respect for the judicial process, stating he would accept the outcome. First Lady Jill Biden and other family members were present in court throughout the trial, offering visible support. This public display of family unity underscored the personal toll the legal proceedings have taken on the Biden family, as observed by The New York Times.

• www.cnn.com reported, Related Legal Challenges: This gun conviction is not Hunter Biden's only legal battle. He also faces separate federal tax evasion charges in California, where he has pleaded not guilty to three felony and six misdemeanor tax offenses. That case is expected to go to trial later this year, further complicating his legal future and potentially extending his legal troubles beyond this current verdict, as reported by the Associated Press.