Felons use gun ruling to challenge bans

Pro-gun protesters rally outside the Supreme Court in June after the court ruled that Americans have a constitutional right to keep guns in their homes for self-defense. WASHINGTON - Twice convicted of felonies, James Francis Barton Jr. faces charges of violating a federal law barring felons from owning guns after police found seven pistols, three shotguns and five rifles at his home south of Pittsburgh. As a defense, Barton and several other defendants in federal gun cases argue that last month's Supreme Court ruling allows them to keep loaded handguns at home for self-defense. "Felons, such as Barton, have the need and the right to protect themselves and their families by keeping firearms in their home," says David Chontos, Barton's court-appointed lawyer. Chontos and other criminal defense lawyers say the high court's... [read full story]