⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Fourth Circuit hears Robert Scofield’s challenge to a federal gun law. While under felony indictment in Oregon, Scofield brought a handgun from Washington, D.C., to Virginia and fired outside CIA headquarters. He pleaded guilty to transporting a firearm across state lines while under indictment, reserving his constitutional challenge for appeal. The district judge upheld section 922(n), relying on historical firearms restrictions. For people under felony indictment, the law restricts shipping or transporting guns or ammunition across state lines, and receiving such items that have crossed state lines; it does not itself ban mere possession. Scofield makes both a facial challenge, against the law itself, and an as-applied challenge, against its use in his circumstances. The lawyers will debate Hemani, a Supreme Court decision about a different restriction, on gun possession by unlawful drug users. How its reasoning affects this case is disputed. Sam Mancina will argue for Scofield.

United States v. Robert Scofield (No. 25-4646) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, argued October 28, 2026.