WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The Latest on criminal case that indirectly involves a Kansas law seeking to prevent federal prosecution of anyone owning firearms made, sold and kept in the state (all times local):
5:45 p.m.
A jury has found two Kansas men guilty of federal firearms violations in a case that repudiates a Kansas law that purports to prevent federal prosecution of anyone owning firearms made, sold and kept in the state.
A jury Monday evening convicted Shane Cox in eight counts for illegally making and marketing firearms. They found Cox not guilty in two other counts involving possession of a destructive device. Kettler was found guilty on one count for the purchase of a gun silencer from him.
U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten told jurors the case would likely be appealed because of the issues involved with the state law. Marten says he can’t change the law at this level, but he anticipated the U.S. Supreme Court might eventually review the case because the issues are this important.
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3:30 p.m.
A defense attorney has told jurors that his client is “caught in the crossfire” of conflicting gun laws passed by Kansas and the federal government.
Defense attorneys during closing arguments Monday blamed their clients’ predicament Monday on the confusion caused by a Kansas law that purports to prevent federal prosecution of anyone owning firearms made, sold and kept in the state.
Shane Cox and Jeremy Kettler are on trial on federal firearms violations. Cox is accused of illegally making and marketing firearms. Kettler bought an unregistered gun silencer from him.
Cox’s attorney argued the Kansas law put his client in a spot where he relied on the Legislature and the governor. Kettler’s attorney told jurors his client made a mistake in trusting people.
A federal prosecutor argued that there needs to be a modicum of regulation because firearms, silencers and explosive devices are used in the commission of crimes.
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10:56 a.m.
Closing arguments are scheduled Monday in a criminal case that indirectly involves a Kansas law seeking to prevent federal prosecution of anyone owning firearms made, sold and kept in the state.
Shane Cox and Jeremy Kettler are on trial in U.S. District Court in Wichita on federal firearms violations.
Cox is the owner of Tough Guys gun store in Chanute accused of illegally making and marketing firearms.
Kettler testified Monday that he bought an unregistered gun silencer after Cox showed him a copy of the state gun law signed by Gov. Sam Brownback.
U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten told jurors that what Kettler believes is not necessarily the law.
The Kansas attorney general’s office has intervened in the case to argue the constitutionality of the state’s gun law.
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