WICHITA — 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. Jeremy Kettler was found guilty on one count for the purchase of a gun silencer from him. Cox is the owner of Tough Guys gun store in Chanute.
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.
Earlier, a defense attorney told jurors that his client was “caught in the crossfire” of conflicting gun laws passed by Kansas and the federal government.
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.
