No. 25-7665October Term 2025Before Arguments
Shawn Lee Butts, Petitioner v. United States
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Question presented
Is 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)’s categorical ban on the possession of firearms unconstitutional as applied to a non-violent defendant, who indisputably possessed firearms solely for hunting and sporting purposes?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Gun Rights
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
Shawn Butts is asking the Supreme Court to review whether a federal gun-possession ban can be applied to a non-violent defendant who says he had firearms only for hunting and sporting purposes. The case comes from the Ninth Circuit and has not been scheduled for argument.
Argument
The petition says the federal ban is unconstitutional in this specific situation because the defendant is non-violent and possessed firearms only for hunting and sporting purposes. The Court has not scheduled oral argument.
Impact
The case tests whether the federal government can enforce a blanket firearms ban even when the defendant is described as non-violent and the guns were kept only for hunting or sport. It could affect people in similar situations who argue the law should not cover their specific circumstances.
What is Shawn Lee Butts v. United States about?
It asks whether a federal gun ban can be applied to a non-violent defendant who says his firearms were only for hunting and sport.
Who could be affected if the Court takes up this case?
It could matter to non-violent defendants who argue the federal ban should not cover their specific situation. A clear example is someone who says the guns were kept only for hunting or sporting use.
What happens next in Shawn Lee Butts v. United States?
The Court must decide whether to hear the case or make another scheduling move. No oral argument or decision date is available yet.
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
- Jul 17, 2026
- Method
- Methodology