In a federal gun trial, a group of 12 Delaware residents has convicted Hunter Biden. This marks a historic event in American jurisprudence as it’s the inaugural instance of a sitting president’s offspring standing trial. The charges stem from an indictment issued by the Justice Department, spearheaded by David Weiss, the special counsel tasked with overseeing investigations involving Hunter Biden.

At 54, Hunter Biden stands accused of unlawful gun purchase and possession, purportedly conducted while under the influence of, or addicted to, controlled substances, thus contravening federal statutes. Despite pleading not guilty to the trio of accusations, Hunter Biden has been forthcoming about his struggles with alcohol and crack cocaine.

The initial two charges within the indictment are linked to the procurement of the firearm itself. Federal law mandates individuals purchasing firearms to complete forms administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, affirming their eligibility. Allegedly, Hunter Biden misrepresented information on these forms, specifically regarding his drug use.

The third count pertains to the possession of the firearm. Federal law prohibits firearm possession while under the influence of drugs. Hunter Biden purportedly held the weapon for a span of 11 days in October 2018, before his partner disposed of it, citing concerns for his mental well-being, as per court filings.

Nabeel Kibria, a defense attorney based in Washington, DC, who has handled numerous firearm-related cases, emphasized the gravity of ensuring firearms do not fall into improper hands. He noted the apparent weight of evidence against Hunter Biden, yet raised questions regarding the determination of addiction and the necessity for clear-cut guidelines in such cases.

Biden’s conviction could potentially result in a lengthy prison sentence of up to 25 years for the president’s son.