Ryan Routh, who is facing charges for allegedly attempting to assassinate then-presidential candidate Donald Trump last year, has requested that a judge dismiss some of the charges against him.
Prosecutors claim Routh was planning an attack before being detected by a Secret Service agent at Trump’s West Palm Beach club in September. Routh has pleaded not guilty.
At a federal court hearing, Routh’s defense attorneys argued that two of the charges should be dismissed, claiming they violate his Second Amendment rights. Specifically, Routh is accused of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and owning a weapon with an obliterated serial number.
Federal public defender Sonia Fahrezi argued that recent court rulings show that “the Second Amendment does not apply only to law-abiding citizens.” She added that Routh’s prior convictions, including one for illegal possession of dynamite, should not prevent him from exercising his constitutional right to bear arms.
Justice Department prosecutor John Shipley countered that the law prohibiting felons from owning firearms remains in effect, emphasizing that a firearm without a visible serial number has no lawful purpose.
The case is being presided over by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was appointed by former President Trump and is known for previously dismissing charges against him in another case.
Routh is also facing three additional charges, including attempting to assassinate a presidential candidate. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest in September.
Routh’s lawyers have also requested that the judge suppress the testimony of a witness who identified their client as the person seen fleeing Trump’s golf club. They argue that the identification process was “impermissibly suggestive” and may have led to a mistaken identification.
Judge Cannon has not yet issued a ruling on the motions. Routh’s trial is scheduled to begin in September.
