CARSON CITY — A Las Vegas businessman, convicted some 20 years ago of a securities and tax violation, has lost an appeal challenging a law that bars convicted felons from getting a permit to carry a firearm.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the challenge of Barry Michaels, who has vowed to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The court, citing prior decisions, ruled on Friday that felons are categorically different from individuals who have a fundamental right to bear arms.
Michaels, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress last year in Las Vegas, intends to run as an independent for U.S. Senate. He spent 15 months in prison for the nonviolent offense. He said he has never applied for a weapons permit but is challenging the law.