Translate
Text Highlighter

Bookmark

PDF

Share

Report a problem
AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Docket Number
Judges
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes

United States of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. John Michael Garza, Defendant-Appellant.

PER CURIAM

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas USDC No. 7:22-CR-135-1

Before HIGGINBOTHAM, GRAVES, and HO, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM

John Michael Garza pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2), and the district court imposed a sentence of 96 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. On appeal, Garza argues that § 922(g)(1), as applied to him, violates the Second Amendment, particularly in light of the recent decisions in New York State Rifle &Pistol Ass'n, Inc. v. Bruen, 142 S.Ct. 2111 (2022), and United States v. Rahimi, 61 F.4th 443 (5th Cir. 2023), petition for cert. filed (U.S. Mar. 17, 2023) (No. 22915).

Because Garza did not make this argument in the district court, we review for plain error only. See United States v. Knowles, 29 F.3d 947, 950 (5th Cir. 1994); see also Puckett v. United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135 (2009). An error is not clear or obvious where an issue is disputed or unresolved, or where there is an absence of controlling authority. United States v. Rodriguez-Parra, 581 F.3d 227, 230-31 (5th Cir. 2009). In fact, "[e]ven where the argument requires only extending authoritative precedent, the failure of the district court [to do so] cannot be plain error." Wallace v. Mississippi, 43 F.4th 482, 500 (5th Cir. 2022) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Because there is no binding precedent explicitly holding that § 922(g)(1) is unconstitutional on its face or as applied and because it is not clear that either Bruen or Rahimi dictate such a result, Garza is unable to demonstrate an error that is clear or obvious. See Rodriguez-Parra, 581 F.3d at 230-31; see also United States v. Petras, 879 F.3d 155, 164 (5th Cir. 2018).

The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED.

This opinion is not designated for publication. See 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

United States v. Garza
(Jun 15, 2023)