# Oral Argument Re-Listen: United States v. Hemani | The Fed Felony Trap Snaps Shut on the Government

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-court-report-7304353/oral-argument-re-listen-united-states-v-hemani-the-fed-felony-trap-snaps-shut-on-the-government
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-court-report-7304353/oral-argument-re-listen-united-states-v-hemani-the-fed-felony-trap-snaps-shut-on-the-government.md
Podcast: [The High Court Report](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-court-report-7304353)
Published: 2026-06-24T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://thehighcourtreport.com//oral-argument-re-listen-united-states-v-hemani-
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/158fe6c7-47d4-44bd-887b-baab6456d01e.mp3
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Duration seconds: 6954

## Resource

United States v. Hemani | Case No. 24-1234 | Docket Link: Here | Argued: 03/02/2026 | Decided: 06/18/2026 Overview: A federal law strips gun rights from regular drug users without proof of danger. This case tests how far the Second Amendment's history-and-tradition standard limits Congress's power to disarm marijuana users. Oral Advocates: For Petitioner (United States): Sarah M. Harris, Principal Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice argues for Petitioner United States. For Respondent (Hemani): Erin Murphy of Clement & Murphy, PLLC argues for Respondent Hemani. Question Presented: Whether 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(3) violates the Second Amendment as applied to a marijuana user with no history of violence. Posture: District court dismissed the indictment; Fifth Circuit affirmed; Supreme Court granted certiorari. Main Arguments: Petitioner (United States): (1) Habitual drunkard laws from the founding era supply a historically analogous tradition for disarming regular drug users; (2) Vagrancy, civil-commitment, and surety laws targeted a similarly dangerous category of people; (3) Section 925(c) offers a constitutional safety valve through individualized relief. Respondent (Hemani): (1) The government's historical analogues fail the why-and-how test since habitual drunkard laws targeted only the incapacitated, not regular users; (2) No genuine circuit split warrants review; (3) Section 925(c)'s recent restoration cannot retroactively cure a violation that predates it. Holding: The government's prosecution of Mr. Hemani under §922(g)(3)'s unlawful user provision is inconsistent with the Second Amendment. Voting Breakdown: 9-0. Justice Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Thomas, Sotomayor, Kavanaugh, Barrett, and Jac…

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