No. 25-7433October Term 2025Petition Pending
Earl McCoy, Petitioner v. United States, et al.
Earl McCoy asks the Supreme Court to review his challenge to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), the federal law barring people with felony convictions from possessing firearms.
Case status
- Current stage
- Petition Pending
- Latest event
- Petition pending
- Decision timing
- No decision timeline until the Court agrees to hear the case.
- What it's about
Earl McCoy asks the Supreme Court to review his challenge to 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), the federal law barring people with felony convictions from possessing firearms. He also asks whether the Court’s decision in McDonough Power Equipment, Inc. v. Greenwood applies in criminal cases and, if so, how.
Question presented
1. Is 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) unconstitutional as applied to McCoy? 2. Whether, and if so how, does McDonough Power Equipment, Inc. v. Greenwood , 464 U.S. 548 (1984), apply in criminal cases?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit / Petition pending
- Area
Gun Rights
Briefing
What it's about
Earl McCoy asks the Supreme Court to review his challenge to a federal law that bars people with felony convictions from possessing firearms. He also asks whether a 1984 Supreme Court case, McDonough Power Equipment v. Greenwood, applies in criminal cases.
Argument
The case has not been scheduled for oral argument. McCoy asks the Court to review the firearm-possession law as applied to him and the role of McDonough in criminal cases.
Impact
The case could affect people with felony convictions charged under the federal firearm-possession ban. For example, McCoy argues the law is unconstitutional as applied to him, rather than challenging it in every situation.
What is at stake in McCoy v. United States?
McCoy challenges the federal ban on firearm possession by people with felony convictions as applied to him. He also raises a separate question about McDonough in criminal cases.
Who could be affected by McCoy's challenge?
People with felony convictions facing charges under the federal firearm-possession ban could be affected. The petition specifically concerns whether the law is unconstitutional as applied to McCoy.
What happens next in McCoy v. United States?
The Court may decide whether to hear the case, or it may take another scheduling step. Oral argument has not been scheduled.
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 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology