STUN GUNS FALL WITHIN SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS

A recent U.S. Supreme Court case overturned a Massachusetts law banning stun guns.

In Caetano v Massachusetts, the defendant obtained a stun gun in order to defend herself against an abusive boyfriend. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected the state’s arguments that 1) stun guns were not common when the Second Amendment was enacted, 2) they are thoroughly modern and 3) they are not readily adaptable for military use. The court had previously ruled that the Second Amendment extends to the states and to weapons that had not existed when the Bill of Rights was written. Therefore, the Massachusetts’ ban on stun guns was unconstitutional.

If you are charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, contact an experienced criminal law attorney immediately. An experienced attorney can determine your best possible defense. If the police lacked probable cause to search you or your premises, an attorney may be able to petition the court to throw out the evidence against you. Even if the police acted properly and the evidence against you is overwhelming, an attorney who is respected in the courthouse may be able to obtain a more favorable plea agreement than you could on your own.

If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)