People v. Richardson

INTRODUCTION

A jury convicted defendant Antoine Leon Richardson of being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and misdemeanor exhibiting a concealable firearm in public. On appeal, we conclude Richardson’s convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition are constitutional because only law- abiding citizens are among the class of people covered by the text of the Second Amendment. We also conclude that substantial evidence supports the trial court’s implied finding that Richardson’s convictions for possessing a firearm and exhibiting a firearm in public involved separate objectives for purposes of Penal Code1 section 654. Accordingly, we affirm.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

In September 2022, Mckyla Middleton went to a liquor store in Lancaster. As Middleton approached the store, Richardson accused her of cutting him off. Richardson walked into the store before Middleton and tried to close the door to prevent her from entering. After Middleton entered the store, Richardson continued to claim that she cut him off. Richardson cursed at Middleton and threatened to beat her up. When Middleton left the store, Richardson followed…