No. 25-5343October Term 2025Before Arguments
Kendrick Jarrell Beaird, Petitioner v. United States
1.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Argument scheduled Oct 13, 2026
- Decision timing
- Usually later in the same term.
- What it's about
Whether 1. Whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) comports with the Second Amendment? 2. Whether Stinson v. United States still accurately state the level of deference due to the Commentary of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines? 3. Whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) permits conviction for the possession of any firearm that has ever crossed state lines at any time in the indefinite past, and, if so, if it is facially unconstitutional.
Question presented
1. Whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) comports with the Second Amendment? 2. Whether Stinson v. United States still accurately state the level of deference due to the Commentary of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines? 3. Whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) permits conviction for the possession of any firearm that has ever crossed state lines at any time in the indefinite past, and, if so, if it is facially unconstitutional?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Argument scheduled Oct 13, 2026
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026
Argument is on the calendar for October 13, 2026. Decisions typically follow within about 94 days of argument. Nearly all opinions are released before the term ends in late June or early July 2026.
Briefing
What it's about
Beaird challenges a federal firearm-possession law as inconsistent with the Second Amendment. He also questions how much weight courts should give Sentencing Guidelines commentary and whether the law can rely on a firearm's past movement across state lines.
Argument
The case is pending, with oral argument scheduled for October 13, 2026. No substantive justice or advocate reactions are available yet.
Impact
The case could affect people charged under the federal ban on firearm possession by people with felony convictions. It could also affect how courts calculate sentences when Guidelines commentary adds to or explains a guideline.
What is at stake in Beaird v. United States?
The Court will consider challenges to a federal firearm-possession law, sentencing-guideline commentary, and the law's connection to interstate commerce.
Who could be affected by the Beaird case?
People charged under the federal firearm-possession ban could be affected. Federal courts calculating sentences under the Guidelines could also be affected.
When is the next step in Beaird v. United States?
Oral argument is scheduled for October 13, 2026. The Court usually issues a decision later in the same term.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Sep 2, 2026
- Method
- Methodology