KIRO NEWSRADIO OPINION

Ross: Unequal treatment in Hunter Biden gun charges is outrageous

Jun 21, 2023, 7:48 AM | Updated: 12:21 pm

hunter biden gun...

WFP USA Board Chair Hunter Biden speaks during the World Food Program USA's 2016 McGovern-Dole Leadership Award Ceremony at the Organization of American States on April 12, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Kris Connor/WireImage)

(Kris Connor/WireImage)

It looks like Hunter Biden has cut a deal with the Justice Department to plead guilty to the various charges against him without doing any jail time.

And that has incensed a lot of people – including the Bellevue-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.


More from Dave Ross: Ancient Roman garbage is valuable, why isn’t mine?

Because as part of that plea deal, Hunter Biden will not be prosecuted for his purchase of a handgun in 2018 when he was getting high on crack. According to the charges, Biden had the handgun for 11 days in October 2018. But under the agreement, instead of being prosecuted as a felon, all he has to do is remain drug-free for 24 months and agree never to own a firearm again.

That’s it.

Alan Gottlieb, head of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, called that deal “an insult to the intelligence of the American people.”

“Why should anybody respect any gun laws if the president’s son gets a pass?” he said.

And that is significant.

Because if Gottlieb, the man who founded the Second Amendment Foundation, says the Second Amendment does not protect a drug user’s right to keep and bear arms and that such people should be considered felons – no exceptions – then you can take that to the Supreme Court.

Because who disagrees with that? The Second Amendment absolutely should not protect people whose judgment is impaired by drug use. And in my opinion, that should include all the judgment-impairing drugs.

Suits: Hunter Biden is getting special treatment in plea deal

That’s why many states, including Washington, prohibit carrying a firearm where liquor is served. Even with a concealed weapons permit.

So, what’s Congress waiting for? Impose mandatory jail time for any user of intoxicating substances who buys or possesses a firearm, even if he only has the gun for 11 days. And, at the very least, like Biden, upon conviction– he is disarmed for life.

If the founder of the Second Amendment Foundation is serious and the Second Amendment doesn’t protect what Hunter Biden did, that’s a big green light.

Pass the law, close the Biden gun crime loophole, and let the disarmament begin – before any more impaired gun owners get the idea that the Second Amendment applies to them.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News with Dave Ross and Colleen O’Brien weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

KIRO Newsradio Opinion

Ramaswamy...

John Curley Show

‘What does it say about the character of the person?’: Curley questions Ramaswamy ad featuring opponent’s mother

KIRO host John Curley is questioning what a recent campaign ad said about Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

5 hours ago

school zone cameras...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘It’s 100% about money’: Jake and Spike clash over Federal Way’s 24/7 school zone cameras

Federal Way will start running four school zone speed cameras 24/7 in November.

7 hours ago

homelessness...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Where are they going to go?’: Gee and Ursula back Everett’s crackdown on homeless camps but question what comes next

Everett is expanding its crackdown on areas where businesses report open drug use, theft, encampments, and people sleeping outside.

9 hours ago

United Airlines...

Jake Skorheim and Spike O'Neill Show

‘I hate it’: Jake questions inheritance taxes after United Airlines CEO’s near 100% proposal

KIRO Newsradio host Jake Skorheim challenged United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby’s call for inheritance taxes approaching 100% at some level.

10 hours ago

ask ursula breath co-worker...

Ursula Reutin

Ask Ursula: My co-worker’s breath smells like death! How do I tell her?

Discover effective ways to tell your co-worker about her breath smell with advice from Ursula Reutin in this insightful column.

15 hours ago

wa appeal catholic church ferguson clemency...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘Do people deserve a second chance?’: Ursula and Gee weigh Claude Price’s 95-year sentence after Ferguson denies clemency

Explore Ferguson's refusal of clemency for Claude Price's sentence and the debate on whether people deserve a second chance.

17 hours ago

Ross: Unequal treatment in Hunter Biden gun charges is outrageous