Federal Judge Rules Against Illegal Immigrant's Gun Rights

Carlos Serrano-Restrepo, an undocumented immigrant in Ohio, was indicted for illegally possessing 170 firearms, including a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle. His claim that the Second Amendment grants him the right to bear arms was rejected by U.S. District Judge Edmund Sargus, who emphasized that individuals who have not sworn allegiance to the United States do not have such rights. Serrano-Restrepo, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2008, has been paying taxes and holds a Social Security number and work authorization. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives initiated the investigation after he falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on firearm purchase forms. The judge's ruling on November 21, 2024, affirmed that disarming unlawful immigrants aligns with historical firearm regulations. Serrano-Restrepo's trial is scheduled for January 21, 2025.