Hunter Biden is Guilty. What’s Next?

WILMINGTON, DE News (6/13/2024) – A federal jury in the District of Delaware has found Robert Hunter Biden guilty of three felony charges connected to his illegal purchase of a firearm in October 2018. The verdict, delivered after a week-long trial, addresses Hunter Biden’s actions during a period when he was battling addiction. So what happens next?

Special Counsel David C. Weiss, who oversaw the prosecution, stated, “This case was about the illegal choices the defendant made while in the throes of addiction — his choice to lie on a government form when he bought a gun and the choice to then possess that gun. It was these choices and the combination of guns and drugs that made his conduct dangerous. No one in this country is above the law. However, Hunter Biden should be no more accountable than any other citizen convicted of the same conduct. The prosecution has been and will continue to be committed to this principle, and to the principles of federal prosecution in carrying out its responsibilities.”

Details of the Case

The charges against Hunter Biden stem from his purchase of a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver from a federally licensed firearms dealer on October 12, 2018. Federal law mandates that anyone purchasing a firearm complete an ATF Form 4473, certifying that all answers on the form are true and correct. One critical question on this form asks if the purchaser is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substances. Evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that Hunter Biden falsely certified that he was not an unlawful user or addict, despite knowing that he was struggling with addiction at the time.

The charges and penalties associated with this case include:

1. Making a False Statement in the Purchase of a Firearm: Hunter Biden falsely certified on the ATF Form 4473 that he was not an unlawful user or addicted to any stimulant, narcotic drug, or other controlled substance. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
2. Making a False Statement Related to Information Required to be Kept by a Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer: Biden knowingly provided false information to the firearms dealer, which the dealer is required to maintain under federal law. This charge has a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
3. Possession of a Firearm by a Person Who is an Unlawful User of or Addicted to a Controlled Substance: Between October 12 and October 23, 2018, Biden possessed the firearm while knowing he was an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance, in violation of federal law. This offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Legal Context

The case against Hunter Biden falls under federal laws governing firearm transactions and the responsibilities of licensed firearms dealers. Under Chapter 44, Title 18 of the United States Code, federally licensed firearms dealers must ensure that buyers truthfully complete ATF Form 4473, which includes critical information about the buyer’s eligibility to purchase a firearm. False statements on this form are considered serious offenses, as they can lead to dangerous situations involving firearms.

Trial and Verdict

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Hunter Biden knowingly provided false information on ATF Form 4473 and possessed a firearm while being an unlawful user of controlled substances. The jury’s unanimous decision to convict Biden on all counts underscores the legal system’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for violations of federal firearms laws, regardless of their background or status.

President Biden’s Statement

Following the conviction, President Joe Biden released a statement expressing his personal sentiments. “As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery. As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”

Press Secretary’s Comments

In a recent press briefing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed questions regarding the President’s reaction to his son’s conviction and the possibility of a commutation. Jean-Pierre reiterated the President’s previous statements about supporting his son and respecting the judicial process, but would not answer the question directly, opening the possibility that President Biden may consider commuting his son’s sentence.

When asked directly if President Biden would consider commuting his son’s sentence, Jean-Pierre responded, “I haven’t spoken to the President about this since the verdict came out. And as we all know, the sentencing hasn’t even been scheduled yet. But you saw the President do an interview just last week when he was in Normandy. And he was asked several questions about this. And he was very clear, very upfront, very definitive. I just don’t have anything beyond what the President said.”

Next Steps

Hunter Biden now faces sentencing for these convictions. The court will determine the appropriate penalties within the statutory maximums for each offense. The nation anxiously awaits President Biden’s response to any sentence passed down by the courts.

Story by Multiple RFHC contributors