The case of 19-year-old Marlon Minor from Racine, Wisconsin, has garnered significant attention as he faces multiple felony charges stemming from his alleged involvement in serious criminal activities.
On October 8, 2024, Minor was arrested by officers with the Racine Police Department and agents from the U.S. Marshals Service after a surveillance operation at a residence in Racine. Authorities allege that he was found in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun equipped with a fully automatic switch, enabling it to function as a machine gun. In addition to this firearm charge, Minor is facing charges for manufacturing and delivering THC and psilocin, a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, which carry significant penalties, including a potential prison term of up to 19 years and fines totaling $45,000.
He is currently free on a $1,000 cash bond and a $10,000 signature bond, and is scheduled to return to Racine County Circuit Court in November, as reported by the Racine County Eye.
While the details of Minor’s arrest are alarming, they also raise important questions about the characterization of so-called “assault weapons” and their actual role in gun-related violence in the United States.
The term “assault weapon” often incites fear and confusion, yet it lacks a definitive legal definition. It generally refers to semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15, which have cosmetic features—such as pistol grips and collapsible stocks—that do not affect their lethality or firing rate. According to The Heritage Foundation, “the public perception of these semi-automatic rifles is not consistent with reality.” In fact, studies show that semi-automatic rifles are not used in the majority of gun-related deaths. For instance, the U.S. Department of Justice reports that only a small percentage of firearm homicides involve such weapons, suggesting they do not pose a significant threat to public safety.
Minor’s case illustrates the challenges of criminalizing possession of such firearms while also recognizing their role among law-abiding citizens. Millions of Americans legally own semi-automatic rifles, and the total estimated number of these “modern sporting rifles” may be as high as 16 million. It’s essential to remember that these weapons are used countless times each year by law-abiding individuals.
Opponents of gun rights often categorize these firearms as “weapons of war,” claiming they belong nowhere in civilian life. However, this perspective overlooks the fact that the characteristics which differentiate assault weapons from other firearms do not enhance their potential for violence. Instead, they often make the firearm more manageable and safer for the user.
While the severity of Minor’s charges deserves attention, it’s crucial to ground the discussion in reality: a significant majority of gun-related violence is perpetrated with handguns, not rifles. Public policy should reflect an accurate assessment of gun violence rather than reactionary fear based on sensationalized definitions of assault weapons.