Watch CBS News

Lawyer Pleased With Ruling Restoring Veteran's 2nd Amendment Rights

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Lawyer Joshua Prince discussed the case of an Army veteran he represented who had his Second Amendment rights restored by a federal judge after being committed while in his teens.

Prince, while speaking with Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, described the case of Jonathan Yox.

"He was trying to find out who he is, as many of us go through, and his parents had him committed. After being committed, he'd go back to school. He'd get straight A's. He'd later enlist in the military. He'd be one of our elite fighters in the 101st Airborne Division. He would have machine guns, grenades, explosives, everything you could imagine under his disposal, that he possessed in benefit of the United States, without any issue. He comes back state side, he takes a job as a correctional facility officer, where he is able to possess a firearm, but only in his capacity as that correctional officer."

He said the court battle required two fronts, the state of Pennsylvania and the a federal case.

"We had filed for a state release. We went in front of a state court judge who found that there was no problem with him being able to possess firearms and ammunition, restored his right in Pennsylvania, but could not relieve federal disability. It was at that point that we filed an action in federal court challenging the federal prohibition."

Prince said the Judge reached the proper verdict and hope this sets an example for future, similar cases.

"Judge Jones properly acknowledged there is a distinction between those who are mentally ill and those who had an isolated incident of decompression a decade or more ago. Someone who is involuntarily committed on one occasion isn't the same time of person that we would refer to as being mentally ill."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.