In First, US Hits Jan. 6 Defendant With Little-Used Firearms Charge

Federal prosecutors have applied a little-used law against a man accused of obstructing the congressional proceedings on Jan. 6, asserting he transported a gun and used it in furtherance of a civil disorder. In a superseding indictment (pdf) against Guy Reffitt released this week, the Texas man was charged with two violations of federal civil disorder law for actions allegedly taken in Washington on Jan. 6. Authorities said Reffitt violated the law against transporting “any firearm, or explosive or incendiary device, knowing or having reason to know or intending that the same will be used unlawfully in furtherance of a civil disorder.” He is also accused of violating the portion of the law that fines or imprisons anyone who “commits or attempts to commit” an act to interfere with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder to charges. Both counts carry prison sentences of up to five years. The …