United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685 (7th Cir. 2010). · Go Syfert
United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685 (7th Cir. 2010). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
285 citation events (285 in the last 25 years) across 47 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Steven Duarte (ca9, 2025-05-09) · Strongest negative: Clifford Tyler v. Hillsdale County Sheriff's Dep't (ca6, 2014-12-18)
Treatment trajectory · 2010 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2010 2018 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited "but see" Clifford Tyler v. Hillsdale County Sheriff's Dep't (4×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see, e.g."
6th Cir. · 2014 · signal: but see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
recognizing that" the felon-in-possession prohibition "may be subject to an overbreadth challenge at some point because of its disqualification of all felons, including those who are non-violent
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) United States v. Steven Duarte
9th Cir. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
presumptively lawful' ... by implication means that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Miller v. Smith (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
C.D. Ill. · 2022 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
heller referred to felon disarmament bans only as 'presumptively lawful,' which, by implication, means that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Medina v. Lynch
D.D.C. · 2017 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
we recognize that 922(g)(1) may be subject to an overbreadth challenge at some point because of its disqualification of all felons, including those who are non-violent.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Daniel Binderup v. Attorney General United States (5×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see, e.g."
3rd Cir. · 2016 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
heller referred to felon disarmament bans only as 'presumptively lawful,' which, by implication, means that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) United States v. Ervin Duckett (2×) also: Cited "see"
9th Cir. · 2010 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
we recognize that y 922(g)(1) may be subject to an overbreadth challenge at some point because of its disqualification of all felons, including those who are non-violent.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Catderian Dejuan Strong v. the State of Texas
txctapp2 · 2026 · confidence medium
Following Heller, Bruen, and Rahimi in Cockerham, the Fifth Circuit reasoned that the Supreme Court’s failure to enunciate a categorical felon-disarmament ban “by implication, means that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.” 162 F.4th at 503–04 (quoting United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Cockerham (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
5th Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
As Justice O’Connor and others have noted, 3 Case: 24-60401 Document: 89-1 Page: 4 Date Filed: 12/17/2025 No. 24-60401 “Heller referred to felon disarmament bans only as ‘presumptively lawful.’” United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jecory Lamont Frazier (2×)
Ky. Ct. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
There can be little dispute that a sea change in the analysis of Second Amendment challenges for federal courts occurred when the pre-existing 8 Mucker, 2011 WL 1103359 , at *6-7 (Scott, J., concurring in result only) (citing United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 693 (7th Cir. 2010) (O’Connor, J., sitting by designation)). -24- individual right to keep and bear arms was explicitly recognized and explained in Heller, 554 U.S. 570 , 128 S. Ct. 2783 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brazier v. United States
N.D. Ind. · 2025 · confidence medium
Likewise, Mr. Brazier would have fared no better with his as-applied challenge, so he cannot show prejudice here either.6 The Seventh Circuit has “repeatedly rejected as-applied Second Amendment challenges” to § 922(g), Kanter v. Barr, 919 F.3d 437, 443 (7th Cir. 2019) (abrogated by Bruen for applying means-end scrutiny in evaluating the constitutionality of § 922(g)(1)), while acknowledging that such challenges have not been categorically foreclosed, id. (citing United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 693 (7th Cir. 2010)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Daniels v. United States
N.D. Ind. · 2025 · confidence medium
The Seventh Circuit has “repeatedly rejected as-applied Second Amendment challenges” to § 922(g), Kanter v. Barr, 919 F.3d 437, 443 (7th Cir. 2019) (abrogated by Bruen for applying means-end scrutiny in evaluating the constitutionality of § 922(g)(1)), while acknowledging that such challenges have not been categorically foreclosed, id. (citing United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 693 (7th Cir. 2010)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Zherka v. Barr
S.D.N.Y. · 2022 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Bogle, 717 F.3d 281 (2d Cir. 2013) (per curiam); United States v. Barton, 633 F.3d 168, 175 (3d Cir. 2011), overruled on other grounds by Binderup v. Attorney General, 836 F.3d 336 (3d Cir. 2016)); United States v. Moore, 666 F.3d 313, 318 (4th Cir. 2012); United States v. Joos, 638 F.3d 581, 586 (8th Cir. 2011); United States v. Torres-Rosario, 658 F.3d 110, 113 (1st Cir. 2011); United States v. Rozier, 598 F.3d 768, 770-71 (11th Cir. 2010); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010); United States v. Vongxay, 594 F.3d 1111, 1115 (9th Cir. 2010); …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Michael White v. Illinois State Police
7th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
United States v. Meza-Rodriguez, 798 F.3d 664, 673 (7th Cir. 2015) (un- documented immigrants); United States v. Yancey, 621 F.3d 681, 687 (7th Cir. 2010) (per curiam) (illegal drug users); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 694 (7th Cir. 2010) (vio- lent felons); United States v. Skoien, 614 F.3d 638, 645 (7th Cir. 2010) (en banc) (persons with misdemeanor domestic vio- lence convictions); see also Heller, 554 U.S. at 626 (“[N]othing 16 No. 20-2842 in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill.�…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brown v. United States
C.D. Ill. · 2021 · confidence medium
See also Mendoza v. United States, 755 F.3d 821, 832 (7th Cir. 2014) (denying ineffective assistance of counsel claim based on failure of counsel to translate all discovery to petitioner’s native language because there was “no showing of how translating the discovery or counsel's further review of discovery with Mendoza would have changed Mendoza's ability to prepare for or participate in his trial or otherwise would have affected the trial's outcome.”); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 690 (7th Cir. 2010) (denying ineffective assistance of counsel claim based on failure to revie…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Shelnutt
Or. Ct. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
See United States v. Woolsey, 759 F3d 905, 909 (8th Cir 2014); United States v. Williams, 616 F3d 685, 693-94 (7th Cir 2010).” For additional discussion of the different approaches, see Folajtar, 980 F3d at 900-04 , which has a petition for writ of certiorari pending.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Weber (Slip Opinion) (2×)
Ohio · 2020 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Stimmel, 879 F.3d at 206 (applying intermediate scrutiny to a complete prohibition on gun possession by individuals previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence); Tyler, 837 F.3d at 690-693 (lead opinion) (same as to a complete prohibition on gun possession by certain individuals suffering from mental illness); Yancey, 621 F.3d at 683 (applying intermediate scrutiny to a complete prohibition on gun possession by a person who is “an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance”); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692-693 (7th Cir.2010) (appl…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lisa Folajtar v. Attorney General USA
3rd Cir. · 2020 · confidence medium
Cir. 2013); United States v. Moore, 666 F.3d 313, 318 (4th Cir. 2012); United States v. Joos, 638 F.3d 581, 586 (8th Cir. 2011); United States v. Torres-Rosario, 658 F.3d 110, 113 (1st Cir. 2011); United States v. Rozier, 598 F.3d 768 , 770–71 (11th Cir. 2010); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010); United U.S. at 627 n.26, McDonald reaffirmed the constitutionality of these “regulatory measures” without any qualifying language, 561 U.S. at 786 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Israel Torres
9th Cir. · 2020 · confidence medium
U.S., 836 F.3d 336, 343 (3d Cir. 2016) (en banc); United States v. Moore, 666 F.3d 313, 316 (4th Cir. 2012); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010); Schrader v. Holder, 704 F.3d 980, 988 (D.C.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hirschfeld v. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
W.D. Va. · 2019 · confidence medium
The Challenged Laws Are Valid as Applied to the Prospective Buyers Yet the Fourth Circuit has recognized that even if a statute is facially constitutional, “the phrase ‘presumptively lawful regulatory measures’ suggests the possibility that one or more of these ‘longstanding’ regulations’ could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.” Chester, 628 F.3d at 679 (quoting United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010)) (emphasis in Chester).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Kelly
Ill. App. Ct. · 2019 · confidence medium
In Chairez, the court elected to forgo a determination of whether the regulation at issue there, the prohibition of firearms possession within 1000 feet of a public park, fell outside of the ambit of the second amendment, assuming instead that some level of scrutiny applied regardless. 2018 IL 121417, ¶ 30 (citing United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010) (explaining that courts should apply some level of scrutiny in cases even when the regulation identified in Heller is presumptively lawful)); Woollard v. Gallagher, 712 F.3d 865, 875 (4th Cir. 2013) (stating that a court i…
examined Cited as authority (rule) Rickey I. Kanter v. William P. Barr (7×) also: Cited "see", Cited "see, e.g."
7th Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
No. 18-1478 21 sumptively risky people.”); Williams, 616 F.3d at 693 (describ- ing the government’s objective as “keep[ing] firearms out of the hands of violent felons, who the government believes are often those most likely to misuse firearms”); Skoien, 614 F.3d at 642 (describing the government’s interest as “preventing armed mayhem”).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Rickey I. Kanter v. William P. Barr (13×) also: Cited "see", Cited "see, e.g."
7th Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
No. 18-1478 21 sumptively risky people.”); Williams, 616 F.3d at 693 (describ- ing the government’s objective as “keep[ing] firearms out of the hands of violent felons, who the government believes are often those most likely to misuse firearms”); Skoien, 614 F.3d at 642 (describing the government’s interest as “preventing armed mayhem”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Kelly
Ill. App. Ct. · 2018 · confidence medium
In Chairez, the court elected to forgo a determination of whether the regulation at issue there, the prohibition of firearms possession within 1000 feet of a public park, fell outside of the ambit of the second amendment, assuming instead that some level of scrutiny applied regardless. 2018 IL 121417, ¶ 30 (citing United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010) (explaining that courts should apply some level of scrutiny in cases even when the regulation identified in Heller is presumptively lawful)); Woollard v. Gallagher, 712 F.3d 865, 875 (4th Cir. 2013) (stating that a court i…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Martin
Ill. App. Ct. · 2018 · confidence medium
The breadth of authority supports a conclusion that dispossessing felons from bearing arms is outside the scope of the second amendment. ¶ 19 However, our supreme court in Chairez agreed with other courts that “some level of scrutiny” should apply even to regulations which are “presumptively lawful.” Chairez, 2018 IL 121417, ¶ 30 (citing United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010) (explaining that courts should apply some level of scrutiny even to regulations identified in Heller as presumptively lawful), Woollard v. Gallagher, 712 F.3d 865, 875 (4th Cir. 2013) (stat…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Bell
Ill. App. Ct. · 2018 · confidence medium
Chairez, 2018 IL 121417, ¶ 30 (stating the court need not address whether the 1000-feet from a public park firearm restriction fell outside the ambit of the second amendment because “we agree with the approach taken by other courts that assume some level of scrutiny must apply to Heller’s ‘presumptively lawful’ regulations”); Woollard v. Gallagher, 712 F.3d 865, 875 (4th Cir. 2013) (stating that the court was not “obliged to impart a definitive ruling at the first step” but, rather, “deemed it prudent to instead resolve post-Heller challenges to firearm prohibitions at the sec…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Bell
Ill. App. Ct. · 2018 · confidence medium
Chairez, 2018 IL 121417, ¶ 30 (stating the court need not address whether the 1000-feet from a public park firearm restriction fell outside the ambit of the second amendment because “we agree with the approach taken by other courts that assume some level of scrutiny must apply to Heller’s ‘presumptively lawful’ regulations”); Woollard v. Gallagher, 712 F.3d 865, 875 (4th Cir. 2013) (stating that the court was not “obliged to impart a definitive ruling at the first step” but, rather, “deemed it prudent to instead resolve post-Heller challenges to firearm prohibitions at the sec…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hatfield v. Sessions
S.D. Ill. · 2018 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Baer, 636 Fed.Appx. 695 (a convicted robber failing at the intermediate scrutiny stage); Williams , 616 F.3d at 693-94 (another convicted robber failing at the intermediate scrutiny stage); Skoien , 614 F.3d at 641-45 (a plaintiff with two convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence failing at the intermediate scrutiny stage of a § 922(g)(9) challenge); Horsley , 808 F.3d at 1131 ("We need not decide today whether 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds are within the scope of the Second Amendment ... [e]ven if they are, our next step would be to turn to means-ends scrutiny of the r…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dale Lee Norman v. State of Florida (2×)
Fla. · 2017 · confidence medium
Sheriff's Dep't, 837 F.3d 678, 692 (6th Cir. 2016) (holding that intermediate scrutiny was the appropriate standard to apply when reviewing challenged law not burdening the core of the Second Amendment right but placing a substantial burden on conduct and persons protected by the Second Amendment); Jackson, 746 F.3d at 965 (applying intermediate scrutiny to San Francisco ordinance prohibiting handgun possession in one's own home unless the handgun is stored or disabled with a trigger lock or is carried on the person of someone over the age of 18); Chovan, 735 F.3d at 1137-38 (subjecting law pr…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Clark v. City of Shawnee
D. Kan. · 2017 · confidence medium
Despite some varying vocabulary between the circuits on intermediate scrutiny in Second Amendment cases, the Tenth Circuit generally follows other circuits, “ ‘To pass constitutional muster under intermediate scrutiny, the government has the burden of demonstrating that its objective is an important one and that its objective is advanced by means substantially related to that objective.’ ” United States v. Reese, 627 F.3d at 802 (quoting United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 562 U.S. 1092 , 131 S.Ct. 805 , 178 L.Ed.2d 532 (2010)); United States v Huitro…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Samuel Hosford
4th Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
Even if a statute is facially constitutional, “the phrase ‘presumptively lawful regulatory measures’ suggests the possibility that one or more of these ‘longstanding’ regulations ‘could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.” Chester, 628 F.3d at 679 (quoting United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Clifford Tyler v. Hillsdale County Sheriff's Dep't
6th Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
While we “are obligated to follow Supreme Court dicta,” United States v. Marlow, 278 F.3d 581 , 588 n.7 (6th Cir. 2002) (citation omitted), Heller only established a presumption that such bans were lawful; it did not invite courts onto an analytical off-ramp to avoid constitutional analysis.6 A presumption implies “that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.” United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010) (applying intermediate scrutiny in challenge to § 922(g)(1)); Chester I, 628 F.3d at 679 (“[T…
examined Cited as authority (rule) Clifford Tyler v. Hillsdale County Sheriff's Dep't (3×)
6th Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
While we “are obligated to follow Supreme Court dicta,” United States v. Marlow, 278 F.3d 581 , 588 n.7 (6th Cir. 2002) (citation omitted), Heller only established a presumption that such bans were lawful; it did not invite courts onto an analytical off-ramp to avoid constitutional analysis.6 A presumption implies “that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.” United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010) (applying intermediate scrutiny in challenge to § 922(g)(1)); Chester I, 628 F.3d at 679 (“[T…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hamilton v. Pallozzi
D. Maryland · 2016 · confidence medium
Chester had suggested that Heller's reference to presumptively lawful regulatory measures "suggests the possibility that one or more of these 'longstanding' regulations ‘could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge.’ ” United States v. Chester, 628 F.3d 673, 679 (4th Cir.2010) (quoting United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir.2010)). .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Herrmann
Wis. Ct. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
"To pass constitutional muster under intermediate scrutiny, the government has the burden of demonstrating that its objective is an important one and that its objective is advanced by means substantially related to that objective." United States v. Wil liams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mishaga v. Schmitz (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
C.D. Ill. · 2015 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Meza-Rodriguez, 798 F.3d 664, 671-73 (7th Cir.2015) (upholding 18 U.S.C. § 922 (g)(5)’s criminalization of possession of a firearm-, by an unauthorized alien); United States v. Yancey, 621 F.3d 681, 687 (7th Cir.2010) (upholding 18 U.S.C. § 922 (g)(3)’s criminalization of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 694 (7th Cir.2010) (upholding 18 U.S.C. §-922(g)(1)’s. criminalization of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon); United States v. Skoien, 614 F.3d 638 (7th Cir.2010) (en…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Mariano A. Meza-Rodriguez (2×)
7th Cir. · 2015 · confidence medium
See United States v. Skoien, 614 F.3d 638 , 641–42 (7th Cir. 2010) (en banc) (avoiding the “‘levels of scrutiny’ quagmire” but noting that § 922(g)(9) serves an important governmental objective and that this provision has a substantial relation with this objective); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010) (applying interme- diate scrutiny to § 922(g)(1)); United States v. Yancey, 621 F.3d 1 Because this holding creates a split between our circuit and the Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Circuits, ante at 7, this opinion has been circu- lated to all active judges pursu…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ezell v. City of Chicago
N.D. Ill. · 2014 · confidence medium
Compare Moore, 702 F.3d at 940 (State held to a higher standard where curtailment of gun rights affected the entire law-abiding adult population of Illinois); with United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir.2010) (intermediate scrutiny applied to Second Amendment challenge to provision of statute criminalizing possession of firearm by convicted felon) and United States v. Skoien, 614 F.3d 638, 641 (7th Cir.2010) (intermediate scrutiny applied to Second Amendment challenge of law restricting gun ownership from domestic violence misdemeanants).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Colorado Outfitters Ass'n v. Hickenlooper
D. Colo. · 2014 · confidence medium
Reese, 627 F.3d at 802 (citing United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir.2010)); United States v. Huitron-Guizar, 678 F.3d 1164, 1169 (10th Cir.2012).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Campbell
Ill. App. Ct. · 2014 · confidence medium
See United States v. Joos, 638 F.3d 581, 586 (8th Cir. 2011); United States v. Barton, 633 F.3d 168, 170-75 (3d Cir. 2011); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 691-94 (7th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 131 S. Ct. 805 (2010); United States v. Rozier, 598 F.3d 768, 777-71 (11th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 958 (2010); United States v. Vongxay, 594 F.3d 1111, 1114-15 (9th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 131 S. Ct. 294 (2010); United States v. Khami, 362 F. App’x 501, 507 (6th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, 560 U.S. 934 (2010); United States v. McCane, 573 F.3d 1037, 1047…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Fyock v. City of Sunnyvale
N.D. Cal. · 2014 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Woollard v. Gallagher, 712 F.3d 865, 876 (4th Cir. 2013); U.S. v. Masciandaro, 638 F.3d 458, 474 (4th Cir.2011); United States v. Marz-zarella, 614 F.3d 85, 96 (3d Cir.2010); U.S. v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir.2010); U.S. v. Reese, 627 F.3d 792, 802 (10th Cir.2010); Kachalsky v. Cnty. of Westchester, 701 F.3d 81, 96 (2d Cir.2012); U.S. v. Walker, 709 F.Supp.2d 460, 466 (E.D.Va.2010); U.S. v. Lahey, No. 10-CR-765 KMK, 967 F.Supp.2d 731, 753-54 , 2013 WL 4792852, at *15 (S.D.N.Y.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Daniel Chovan (2×)
9th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
On the other hand, it may suggest the restrictions are presumptively lawful because they pass muster under any standard of scrutiny,” but preferring the first reading); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010) (stating that “‘presumptively lawful’ . . . by implication[] means that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) People v. Garvin
Ill. App. Ct. · 2013 · confidence medium
See United States v. Joos, 638 F.3d 581, 586 (8th Cir. 2011); United States v. Barton, 633 F.3d 168, 170-75 (3d Cir. 2011); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 691-94 (7th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 131 S. Ct. 805 (2010); United States v. Rozier, 598 F.3d 768, 77-71 (11th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 130 S. Ct. 3399 (2010); United States v. Vongxay, 594 F.3d 1111, 1114-15 (9th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 131 S. Ct. 294 (2010); United States v. Khami, 362 F. App’x 501, 507 (6th Cir. 2010), cert. denied, ___ U.S.___, 130 S. Ct. 3345 (2010); United State…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Christian (2×) also: Cited "see"
Or. · 2013 · confidence medium
However, the majority of federal courts to date have applied an intermediate scrutiny standard of review to most Second Amendment challenges. 12 “To pass constitutional muster under intermediate scrutiny, the government has the burden of demonstrating that its objective is an important one and that its objective is advanced by means substantially related to that objective.” United States v. Williams, 616 F3d 685, 692 (7th Cir), cert den,___US___, 131 S Ct 805 (2010); see also Chester, 628 F3d at 682-83 (intermediate level of scrutiny applied such that government was required to demonstrate…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Bogle
2d Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
See United States v. Moore, 666 F.3d 313, 318-19 (4th Cir.2012); United States v. Barton, 633 F.3d 168, 175 (3d Cir.2011); United States v. Joos, 638 F.3d 581, 586 (8th Cir.2011); United States v. Rozier, 598 F.3d 768, 771 (11th Cir.2010); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 693-94 (7th Cir. 2010); United States v. Vongxay, 594 F.3d 1111, 1115 (9th Cir.2010); United States v. Carey, 602 F.3d 738, 741 (6th Cir.2010); United States v. McCane, 573 F.3d 1037, 1047 (10th Cir.2009); United States v. Anderson, 559 F.3d 348, 352 (5th Cir.2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Powell v. Tompkins
D. Mass. · 2013 · confidence medium
See United States v. Booker, 644 F.3d 12, 25 (1st Cir.2011) (holding that “a categorical ban on gun ownership by a class of individuals must be supported by some form of ‘strong showing,’ necessitating a substantial relationship between the restriction and an important governmental objective” (quoting United States v. Skoien, 614 F.3d 638, 641 (7th Cir.2010) (en banc))); see also National Rifle Ass’n, 700 F.3d at 194 ; Marzzarella, 614 F.3d at 97 ; Heller, 670 F.3d at 1257 ; Chester, 628 F.3d at 683 ; Reese, 627 F.3d at 802 ; United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692-93 (7th Cir.2…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Craig (2×) also: Cited "see"
Minn. · 2013 · confidence medium
In Williams , the Seventh Circuit declined to apply the Third Circuit’s approach on the ground that the academic writing regarding the historical understanding of the Second Amendment is “inconclusive at best.” 616 F.3d at 692 (citation omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jefferson Schrader v. Eric Holder, Jr.
D.C. Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
See, e.g., United States v. Booker, 644 F.3d 12, 25-26 (1st Cir.2011) (affirming section 922(g)(9)’s ban on firearm possession by persons convicted of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692-93 (7th Cir.2010) (affirming section 922(g)(l)’s ban on firearm possession by convicted felon); see also Mahin, 668 F.3d at 123 (collecting cases).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Johnston v. State
N.C. Ct. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
We cannot say that this objective is not an important one.” Williams, 616 F.3d at 692-93 (internal citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Charles Smoot
4th Cir. · 2012 · confidence medium
States v. Moore, 666 F.3d 313, 317 (4th Cir.2012)(citing United States v. Torres-Rosario, 658 F.3d 110 , 113 & n. 1 (1st Cir.2011); United States v. Barton, 633 F.3d 168, 170-75 (3d Cir.2011); United States v. Rozier, 598 F.3d 768, 770-71 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, U.S. -, 130 S.Ct. 3399 , 177 L.Ed.2d 313 (2010); United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 691-94 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 131 S.Ct. 805 , 178 L.Ed.2d 532 (2010); United States v. Vongxay, 594 F.3d 1111, 1114-15 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, - U.S. -, 131 S.Ct. 294 , 178 L.Ed.2d 193 (2010); United States v. Khami, 362 Fed.Ap…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Pocian (2×)
Wis. Ct. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
United States v. Williams, 616 F.3d 685, 692 (7th Cir. 2010).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Adam WILLIAMS, Defendant-Appellant
09-3174.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Aug 5, 2010.
616 F.3d 685
2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 16194
2010 WL 3035483
Daniel L. Bella, Dean R. Lanter, Office of the United States Attorney, Hammond, IN, Stephan E. Oestreicher, Jr., Robert A. Parker (argued), Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Appellate Section, Washington, DC, for Plaintiff-Appellee., Elizabeth Dorsey Collery, Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Appellate Section, Staci D. Schweizer (argued), Howrey LLP, Washington, DC, John Maksimovich, Crown Point, IN, for Defendant-Appellant.
O'Connor, Kanne, Rovner.
Cited by 141 opinions  |  Published
Pinpoint authority: bottom 56%
KANNE, Circuit Judge.

Appellant Adam Williams appeals his conviction for illegal possession of a firearm and various drug distribution offenses. He argues that (1) the district court’s failure to inquire into his concerns over his attorney’s performance was an abuse of discretion; (2) the statute dispossessing felons of firearms, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), is unconstitutional; and (3) the district court’s assessment of the sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) was inadequate. We affirm.

I. Background

As part of a narcotics investigation, in early 2008 the Hammond, Indiana Police Department enlisted the help of a confidential informant (“Cl”) in making controlled purchases of crack cocaine and marijuana from Appellant Adam Williams. On three separate occasions, the Cl, wearing audio and video recording devices, purchased narcotics from Williams. Based on this electronic surveillance, Hammond police officers obtained a search warrant for Williams’s house.

In April 2008, officers arrived at Williams’s home to execute the warrant. After knocking on the door to announce their presence and receiving no answer from within, the officers broke down the door. As one of the officers entered, he saw Williams approaching with a handgun pointed toward the doorway. As the other officers entered the house, Williams retreated to his bedroom and placed the gun on the ground a few inches from him. The officers then arrested Williams without incident.

The day after his arrest, federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and[*688] Firearms went to the Hammond city jail to question Williams. After receiving his Miranda rights, Williams explained to agents that when the officers had arrived to execute the warrant, he believed that someone was breaking into his house in an attempt to rob him, which is why he had retrieved the gun from under his bed. He then proceeded to make various inculpatory statements during a videotaped interview. For example, Williams confessed to selling crack, but not marijuana (he claimed that he possessed the latter only for personal use). He told agents that he had been earning approximately $150 per week through his crack sales. Williams also made incriminatory statements about the use to which he put drug paraphernalia found at his home; he explained that he used rubber gloves when he was bagging drugs to keep the drugs out' of his system.

Williams subsequently stood trial by jury. At trial, Williams testified in his own defense. He claimed never to have sold crack or marijuana to the Cl despite his earlier confession to the contrary. Instead, he claimed that he and the Cl had pooled their resources to purchase shared drugs from another dealer named “Casino.” He also explained that his statement that he had been earning $150 each week from crack sales was “misunderstood” by federal agents. Rather, he claimed that he had bought the crack to use as Christmas party favors, and after changing his mind, tried to recoup his expenses by selling the crack. He also tried to negate his inculpatory statement regarding the drug paraphernalia by explaining that it belonged to Casino, who did not live with Williams, but sometimes bagged his drugs in Williams’s home. Finally, Williams testified that the handgun did not belong to him, but to his sister, who left it with him to use for his protection.

On the second day of trial, during the government’s case-in-chief, Williams asked to speak to the judge outside of the jury’s presence. Williams explained to the trial judge that he had not seen one of the video recordings until it was played by the prosecution, despite his request to review all of the video and audio recordings prior to trial. [2] The following exchange occurred:

The Court: Okay.... Counsel, are both of you ready to go?
[AUSA] Lanter: Yes.
Williams: Your Honor, can I speak?
The Court: What do you want?
Williams: I feel that I would like for you to read this.
The Court: Why? Look, we are in the middle of a trial, sir.
Williams: Yes, sir. I understand. There’s some things that has [sic] occurred in my case that I feel did not come out between me and my lawyer. I did not see the video of 3/25 until yesterday when it was shown to the jury, and I had requested to see all the audio, all the video.
The Court: Look, you have a lawyer. He’s a very professional individual. You are not—
Williams: This is correct.
The Court: • — trying this case on your own and you can’t do that.
Williams: Yes, sir. I understand.
The Court: So that’s just between you and him, sir.
Williams: That’s the point I’m trying to make. I feel like my lawyer has failed me.
[*689] The Court: Not yet. Too late. We’re in the middle of a trial. We are going to go forward. I don’t care — at this stage, I really don’t care what you think. You got it?
Williams: Yes, sir.
The Court: Good. Get the jury in.

(App. at 8-9.) Williams expressed no further concerns after this exchange, and did not move for a new trial.

The jury acquitted Williams on one count of marijuana distribution and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. But the jury found Williams guilty on one count of distributing marijuana, two counts of distributing cocaine base, one count of possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Williams now appeals his conviction.

II. Analysis

A. Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel

Williams first contends that the district court abused its discretion by declining to inquire further into Williams’s expressed concerns over his attorney’s performance. We held in United States v. Zillges that “[wjhen, for the first time, an accused makes known to the court in some way that he has a complaint about his attorney, the court must rule on the matter.” 978 F.2d 369, 371 (7th Cir.1992). If the accused expresses the reasons for his concerns to the court, “the court may rule without more.” Id. But if the accused does not state the reasons for his concerns, “the court then has a duty to inquire into the basis for the client’s objection to counsel and should withhold a ruling until reasons are made known.” Id. at 372; see also United States v. Morris, 714 F.2d 669, 673 (7th Cir.1983).

Zillges, however, involved a defendant’s express request for the appointment of new counsel. 978 F.2d at 371. Williams was not requesting a new attorney, but simply was expressing concerns over his current attorney. We have not yet had occasion to expound on Zillges’s application in the latter situation. Today, we do. We think that the reasoning in Zillges applies with equal force regardless of whether a complaint is phrased in terms of an express motion for a new attorney or simply in terms of dissatisfaction with one’s current attorney.

The government admits that when construed liberally, Williams’s comments lend themselves to the possibility that he was either requesting a new attorney or the permission to proceed pro se. The government therefore admits that the court should have inquired further into Williams’s concerns instead of abruptly silencing him.

We agree. The district court declined to use the opportunity to inquire fully into Williams’s perceived problems with his attorney. The district court’s dismissal of Williams’s concerns was an abuse of discretion, and served to stifle what may have been legitimate concerns that Williams had about his attorney’s performance.

Because we have never addressed a situation where a district court did not inquire into a defendant’s concerns with his current attorney, we also have not had occasion to determine the effect of an abuse of discretion in those circumstances. We now hold that the district court’s abuse of discretion will only result in a new trial if Williams can show prejudice. If not, then any error was harmless.

In Zillges, we analogized to Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984), in reaching our determination that “a district court’s failure to conduct a sufficient inquiry into a[*690] substitution motion does not constitute reversible error unless it resultfs] in a denial of this Sixth Amendment right.” 978 F.2d at 372. We thus determined that a failure to inquire was not a structural error requiring automatic reversal, but instead, was subject to the harmless error standard. Id. at 372-73. To prevail, the defendant was required to “demonstrate that the performance of his attorney was not within the range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases, and that but for counsel’s deficiencies, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Id. (citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 694, 104 S.Ct. 2052) (internal quotation marks omitted).

Zillges and Strickland guide our decision in this case. If a defendant who makes an express motion for substitute counsel must show prejudice to prevail on a district court’s failure to inquire, then so too must a defendant who makes only an implicit motion.

Unfortunately for Williams, he is unable to satisfy Strickland’s burden. First, Williams is unable to show that his attorney’s performance was incompetent. The only evidence he points to of incompetence is that his attorney did not review with him the video recordings prior to trial. And while standing alone this may potentially give rise to a possibility of deficient performance, when coupled with the actions that Williams’s attorney did take, we cannot say that the attorney’s performance was incompetent. For example, Williams’s attorney knowledgeably questioned the witnesses, including Williams, about the recordings. During his closing argument, the attorney demonstrated his familiarity with the recordings, even commenting at one point about his extensive review of them. Because this evidence demonstrates Williams’s attorney’s preparation and review of the recordings, Williams has failed to show that his attorney’s performance was deficient.

Second, even if Williams could demonstrate his attorney’s incompetence, he is unable to establish a reasonable possibility that the results would have been different “but for” his attorney’s allegedly deficient performance. We recognize that Williams was acquitted on one charge of marijuana distribution, so there is a small chance that the videos may have shown exculpatory evidence if Williams had the chance to review them prior to trial. But a remote possibility is different than the reasonable possibility required by Strickland. And the remote possibility presented here has even less significance in light of the fact that the other evidence of Williams’s guilt is overwhelming.

For example, because the video recordings were consistent with the other evidence presented at trial, there is nothing to suggest that they were inauthentic. And even if Williams is not arguing that the videos were inauthentic, but only that the videos did not demonstrate his guilt, the other evidence presented is to the contrary. The Cl gave testimony about the controlled purchases, and the police officers who supervised the purchases testified as well. The government also presented samples of the drugs the Cl purchased from Williams, other physical evidence seized from Williams’s house, and Williams’s own videotaped inculpatory statements. Under these circumstances, we cannot say that Williams demonstrated a reasonable possibility that he would have been acquitted but for his attorney’s alleged deficiencies.

Because Williams cannot satisfy his burden under either prong of the Strickland standard, the district court’s abuse of discretion was harmless. Therefore, his drug conviction will be affirmed.

[*691] B. Second Amendment Right to Firearm Possession

Williams next argues that the felon-in-possession statute, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), is unconstitutional as applied to him. Prior to trial, Williams moved to dismiss the charge against him for being a felon in possession of a firearm. As support for his motion, he cited the Supreme Court’s recent decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, — U.S.—, 128 S.Ct. 2783, 171 L.Ed.2d 637 (2008), and our panel opinion in United States v. Skoien, 587 F.3d 803 (7th Cir.2009), vacated and remanded, 614 F.3d 638 (7th Cir.2010) (en banc). Based on Heller, Williams argued that the statute criminalizing his possession of a firearm as a convicted felon was unconstitutional because it infringed on his right to possess firearms for use in self-defense. The district court denied the motion, relying on Heller’s now-famous dictum that “nothing in our opinion should be taken to cast doubt on longstanding prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill” 128 S.Ct. at 2816-17. Williams appeals the denial of his motion. Reviewing de novo the district court’s denial of Williams’s motion to dismiss the indictment, United States v. Greve, 490 F.3d 566, 570 (7th Cir.2007), we affirm.

Williams argues that because the Heller Court determined that the “core” ideal the Second Amendment protects is self-defense, the statute criminalizing his possession of a firearm is unconstitutional as applied to him. 128 S.Ct. at 2817; see also McDonald v. City of Chicago, — U.S. —, 130 S.Ct. 3020, 3044, 177 L.Ed.2d 894 (2010) (plurality opinion). Using our panel opinion in Skoien as support, Williams argues that the Heller dictum relied on by the district court should not be given so much credence. Skoien involved a challenge to the prohibition on firearm possession by misdemeanants convicted of domestic violence under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). Williams proffers that the now-vacated analytical approach promulgated by the Skoien panel is the approach we should use in determining the scope of his rights.

That vacated opinion adopted a two-step approach to evaluate Second Amendment challenges. First, the panel determined that courts should examine whether the challenged conduct falls within the scope of the Second Amendment’s protection in the first instance. If not, the challenged regulation is valid. If so, then the court must move on to step two, which requires courts to apply some level of “means-ends” scrutiny to establish whether the regulation passes constitutional muster. 587 F.3d at 808-09.

Thereafter, Skoien was reheard en banc. Without deciding the question of whether those convicted of violent crimes were outside the scope of the Second Amendment’s protection at the founding, we determined in our en banc opinion that “some categorical disqualifications [on firearm possession] are permissible.” Skoien, 614 F.3d at 641. To be permissible, however, we held that categorical exclusions must satisfy “some form of strong showing.” Id. Finding that § 922(g)(9) satisfied this requisite “strong showing,” we affirmed Skoien’s conviction.

Because briefing and argument in Williams’s case were completed prior to the en banc argument in Skoien, Williams anticipated a potential reversal of Skoien’s panel opinion, and so clarified in his reply brief that his argument was not dependent on our resolution of Skoien. Rather, he argued that Heller standing alone supported his as-applied challenge to § 922(g)(1). But we think that the en banc decision in Skoien is instructive, especially when read in conjunction with[*692] Heller and the Supreme Court’s most recent decision in McDonald v. City of Chicago, 130 S.Ct. 3020.

In Heller, the Court stated that “[a]ssuming that Heller is not disqualified from the exercise of Second Amendment rights, the District must permit him to register his handgun and must issue him a license to carry it in the home.” 128 S.Ct. at 2822 (emphasis added). This language indicates that the threshold inquiry is whether Williams is qualified to possess a firearm in the first instance. In the Skoien en banc opinion, we implicitly addressed this issue by beginning our analysis with a reiteration of Heller’s idea that some categorical exclusions of firearm possession are constitutional. 614 F.3d at 641. This notion was also recently affirmed by the Supreme Court in McDonald, where it “repealed] [its] assurances” that Heller’s dictum regarding disqualifications on firearm possession by felons was valid. 130 S.Ct. at 3047 (plurality opinion).

Based on these recent decisions and our reasoning in the Skoien en banc opinion, we need not address whether convicted felons fell outside the scope of the Second Amendment’s protections at the time of the founding, as the Skoien panel opinion did. The academic writing on the subject of whether felons were excluded from firearm possession at the time of the founding is “inconclusive at best,” Skoien, 614 F.3d at 650 (Sykes, J., dissenting), and we refrain now from making a determination based on contradictory views. Instead, as we must, we follow the en banc majority’s holding that some categorical bans on firearm possession are constitutional. Id. at 641 (majority opinion); see also United States v. Vongxay, 594 F.3d 1111, 1115 (9th Cir.2010). For purposes of Williams’s case, this means that if he falls within one of the categorical bans, the Second Amendment does not apply to him, assuming, of course, that the ban satisfies “some form of strong showing.” Skoien, 614 F.3d at 641. One such categorical ban is on firearm possession by a convicted felon. See McDonald, 130 S.Ct. at 3047 (plurality opinion); Heller, 128 S.Ct. at 2816-17. And because Williams is a convicted felon, the ban applies to him.

But the government does not get a free pass simply because Congress has established a “categorical ban”; it still must prove that the ban is constitutional, a mandate that flows from Heller itself. Heller referred to felon disarmament bans only as “presumptively lawful,” which, by implication, means that there must exist the possibility that the ban could be unconstitutional in the face of an as-applied challenge. Therefore, putting the government through its paces in proving the constitutionality of § 922(g)(1) is only proper. And to determine whether the presumption of lawfulness gives way in this case, we must apply Skoien’s “strong showing” requirement to § 922(g)(1) as that statute was applied in this case. In Skoien we declined to adopt a level of scrutiny applicable to every disarmament challenge, although we hinted that it might look like what some courts have called intermediate scrutiny. Consequently, for purposes of Williams’s challenge to § 922(g)(1) as it applies to him, we can examine his claim using the intermediate scrutiny framework without determining that it would be the precise test applicable to all challenges to gun restrictions.

To pass constitutional muster under intermediate scrutiny, the government has the burden of demonstrating that its objective is an important one and that its objective is advanced by means substantially related to that objective. Cf. Skoien, 614 F.3d at 641. We find that the government satisfies its burden. In this case, the[*693] government’s stated objective is to keep firearms out of the hands of violent felons, who the government believes are often those most likely to misuse firearms. See, Note, Selective Incapacitation: Reducing Crime Through Predictions of Recidivism, 96 Harv. L.Rev. 511, 515 & n.24 (1982) (noting a study that found that felons convicted of robbery were among those most likely to commit future crimes); see also Skoien, 614 F.3d at 641 (“Congress is not limited to case-by-case exclusions of persons who have been shown to be untrustworthy with weapons, nor need these limits be established by evidence presented in court.”); cf. Landers v. State, 250 Ga. 501, 299 S.E.2d 707, 709-10 (1983) (“[T]he General Assembly sought to keep guns out of the hands of those individuals who by their prior conduct had demonstrated that they may not possess a firearm without being a threat to society.”). We cannot say that this objective is not an important one. Cf. Skoien, 614 F.3d at 642 (“[N]o one doubts that the goal of § 922(g)(9), preventing armed mayhem, is an important governmental objective.”).

We next must determine whether § 922(g)(1) is substantially related to this objective in Williams’s case. The government attempts to show a substantial relationship between its objective of preventing felons access to guns and § 922(g)(1) by pointing to Williams’s own violent past. The government’s evidence passes constitutional muster.

Williams was convicted of felony robbery. In Indiana, where Williams’s conviction occurred, robbery is violent by definition. See United States v. Lewis, 405 F.3d 511, 514 (7th Cir.2005). In fact, Williams’s specific crime involved his beating the victim so badly that the victim required sixty-five stitches. (App. at 29.) The fact that Williams was convicted of a violent felony defeats any claim he has that § 922(g)(1) is not substantially related to preventing him from committing further violence.

And although we recognize that § 922(g)(1) may be subject to an over-breadth challenge at some point because of its disqualification of all felons, including those who are non-violent, that is not the case for Williams. Even if the government may face a difficult burden of proving § 922(g)(l)’s “strong showing” in future cases, it certainly satisfies its burden in this case, where Williams challenges § 922(g)(1) as it was applied to him. See Broadrick v. Oklahoma, 413 U.S. 601, 610, 93 S.Ct. 2908, 37 L.Ed.2d 830 (1973) (“[A] person to whom a statute may constitutionally be applied will not be heard to challenge that statute on the ground that it may conceivably be applied unconstitutionally to others, in other situations not before the Court.”). Williams, as a violent felon, is not the ideal candidate to challenge the constitutionality of § 922(g)(1).

We are further guided in our determination by the fact that every court to address the constitutionality of § 922(g)(1) in light of Heller has upheld that statute. See United States v. Rozier, 598 F.3d 768, 770-71 (11th Cir.2010) (per curiam); Vongxay, 594 F.3d at 1114-18; United States v. Khami, 362 Fed.Appx. 501, 507-08 (6th Cir.2010) (unpublished); United States v. McCane, 573 F.3d 1037, 1047 (10th Cir.2009), ce rt. denied, — U.S. —, 130 S.Ct. 1686, 176 L.Ed.2d 179 (2010); United States v. Stuckey, 317 Fed.Appx. 48, 50 (2d Cir.2009) (per curiam); United States v. Anderson, 559 F.3d 348, 352 & n. 6 (5th Cir.2009), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 129 S.Ct. 2814, 174 L.Ed.2d 308 (2009); United States v. Brunson, 292 Fed.Appx. 259, 261 (4th Cir.2008) (per curiam) (unpublished); United States v. Irish, 285 Fed.Appx. 326, 327 (8th Cir.2008) (per curiam) (unpublished).

[*694] Because Williams was convicted of a violent felony, his claim that § 922(g)(1) unconstitutionally infringes on his right to possess a firearm is without merit. We also note that our en bane decision in Skoien considered and disposed of an issue similar to Williams’s equal protection argument, so we need not address it further. 614 F.3d at 645 (“True, the statute tolerates different outcomes for persons convicted in different states, but this is true of all situations in which a firearms disability ... depends on state law.”).

C. Title 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)’s Sentencing Factors

Williams finally argues that the district court erred in applying the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors because the court failed to consider his non-frivolous sentencing arguments. We review a sentence for both procedural and substantive reasonableness under an abuse of discretion standard. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51, 128 S.Ct. 586, 169 L.Ed.2d 445 (2007).

In this case, because Williams raises only a procedural argument, we need not consider the substantive reasonableness of his sentence. Cf. United States v. Farris, 532 F.3d 615, 620 (7th Cir.2008) (declining to address the procedural argument when defendant raised only the substantive argument). A sentence is procedurally unreasonable when a trial court fails to give meaningful consideration to a defendant’s non-frivolous sentencing arguments. United States v. Cunningham, 429 F.3d 673, 679 (7th Cir.2005).

Williams contends that the district court erred by failing to address specifically his argument that he should receive a reduced sentence because of the crack-to-powder sentencing disparity. See Spears v. United States, — U.S. —, 129 S.Ct. 840, 843-44, 172 L.Ed.2d 596 (2009). But the district court did address Williams’s argument; it simply reached a conclusion with which Williams disagreed. Williams’s primary evidence at sentencing was his contention that the Department of Justice generally acquiesces to variances in crack sentences when the defendant is not violent, is not a recidivist, and does not possess a firearm. The court responded to this argument, however, noting first that the Justice Department’s position did not reflect the current state of the law. (App. at 28.) The court further determined that certain mitigating factors — namely, a nonviolent history, a first-time offender status, and the absence of gun possession — were nonexistent in this case. (Id. at 29, 32, 33.) Therefore, the court concluded that Williams was undeserving of a sentencing variance.

We think that this explanation was sufficient. It is evident from the record that the district court listened to the arguments and considered the evidence and the defendant’s personal circumstances. See Rita v. United States, 551 U.S. 338, 357-59, 127 S.Ct. 2456, 168 L.Ed.2d 203 (2007). Because this explanation demonstrated the court’s basis for its reasons, it matters little that the explanation was brief. Id. We therefore reject Williams’s sentencing argument.

III. Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, Williams’s conviction and sentence are Affirmed.

2

. Two weeks prior to trial, Williams had written his attorney, asking his attorney to perform a video analysis of the Cl’s recordings. The record does not specify what this analysis would entail or whether this analysis was ever completed.