Domestic violence gun bans
United States v. James Alvin Castleman
In brief
The Supreme Court ruled that Castleman’s conviction qualifies under federal law and overturned the Sixth Circuit’s ruling to the contrary.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 9-0 · March 26, 2014 · Opinion by Justice Sotomayor
- What it’s about
- The Supreme Court ruled that James Castleman’s Tennessee misdemeanor domestic-assault conviction qualifies as a federal misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, so the federal firearm-possession ban applies to him.
- Who it affects
- The federal firearm-possession ban applies to Castleman because his conviction qualifies under the law.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
It overturned the Sixth Circuit’s contrary ruling and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded).
Federal law bars people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms; the dispute was whether Castleman’s Tennessee conviction fit that rule.
Question presented
Does Castleman's conviction of misdemeanor domestic assault under Tennessee law constitute a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under the relevant federal statute?
What the Court decided
Holding
Castleman’s conviction qualifies as a “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.” 695 F. 3d 582, reversed and remanded.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
- Joined the judgment
- Concurred in a separate opinion
- Wrote an opinion
What's next
The case returns to the Sixth Circuit, which will continue proceedings under the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Documents
Opinions
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
Show 4 moreShow fewer
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Opinion added: Castleman
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.