The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the conviction of Michael Celestine for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court held that Celestine's constitutional challenges to the statute were foreclosed by existing precedent.
Michael Celestine appealed his conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon in violation of federal law. He argued that the statute violated the Second Amendment and exceeded Congress’s Commerce Clause authority. He also sought to vacate his conviction based on separation of powers principles.
The court’s reasoning
The court stated that Celestine’s arguments regarding the Second Amendment and Commerce Clause were foreclosed by existing precedent. The court also found no clear or obvious error to establish plain error regarding the separation of powers claim.
What it means going forward
The decision reinforces the enforceability of federal firearm restrictions on convicted felons within the Fifth Circuit and closes the door on recent constitutional challenges to the statute.
