United States v. Bean

Bean, a licensed firearms dealer, was convicted in Mexico of unlawfully importing ammunition, a felony offense. Because of the felony conviction, he lost all rights under US law to possess firearms. Bean petitioned the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for relief from the firearms disabilities statute. Since 1992, however, every appropriations law for the BATF has specified that BATF may not expend any appropriated funds to act upon applications for such relief. Accordingly, BATF sent Bean a notice that it would not act upon his request due to the congressional action. Bean then petitioned the district court, contending that the BATF's letter denied his petition and exhausted his administrative remedies. The district court held that it had jurisdiction to hear the petition and granted Bean relief from the firearms disabilities; the court of appeals affirmed.

Question Presented:
Whether, despite the appropriations provision barring the BATF from acting on such applications, a federal district court has authority to grant relief from firearms disabilities to persons convicted of a felony.

Decision under Review

Supreme Court opinion