Quran does not give felon right to carry guns, federal appeals court says
A federal appeals court says a northwest Iowa man who claimed the Quran authorized him to carry weapons was properly sentenced to more than 16 years in prison.
Marlo Harper, also known as Umar Amir Al-Sayyaad Allahdheen, pleaded guilty to two federal charges for possessing a firearm as a felon and as a drug user. According to court filings, police found six guns, including two rifles and a shotgun, plus marijuana and large amounts of ammunition during two traffic stops in August 2021.
He previously had been convicted of multiple assault and threats charges and was not eligible to carry firearms.
During his sentencing, Allahdheen, representing himself, quoted from the Muslim holy book, which states “the word of the law says in this regard … [p]ermission is granted those to take up arms who fight because they were oppressed.” On that basis, Allahdheen argued, he was legally entitled to possess the weapons.
The sentencing judge found the Quran citation not applicable to Allahdheen's sentencing.
To the contrary, Judge Leonard Strand voiced concern that, based on Allahdheen's apparent religious belief in his right and duty to carry weapons, he is more likely to reoffend than other defendants. Strand sentenced Allahdheen to 16½ years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
More: Iowa man convicted in murder of woman who had protective order against him
On appeal, Allahdheen argued that Strand gave improper weight to his Muslim faith in sentencing him. But in an unsigned opinion Tuesday, the federal appeals court rejected that argument and noted it was Allahdheen, not the judge, who injected his faith into the proceedings.
"With Allahdheen contending that he had the right by virtue of his faith to possess firearms, even though he is a felon, it is not surprising that the district court would mention Allahdheen’s religion in explaining the reason for its concern that Allahdheen would re-offend," the court wrote.
The court also rejected Allahdheen's other arguments, including claiming his sentence was harsher than similarly situated defendants, and affirmed his sentence.
An attorney who served as standby counsel for Allahdheen did not return a message Tuesday seeking comment.
William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa man who claimed Quran permitted carrying guns loses appeal
