Hunter Biden tells court he plans to plead not guilty to gun charges

President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, plans to plead not guilty to federal gun charges, he said in a court filing Tuesday.

He is also asking for his initial court appearance to be held remotely.

In a letter to Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke, attorney Abbe Lowell said Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to the three felony gun charges relating his possession of a revolver in 2018 whether the appearance is held over video or in person.

"Mr. Biden is not seeking any special treatment in making this request. He has attended and will attend any proceedings in which his physical appearance is required," Lowell wrote Tuesday.

"Mr. Biden also will enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference," the letter states. "In short, Mr. Biden is satisfied that his constitutional rights will be met by conducting his initial appearance by video conference."

Hunter Biden was indicted last week on three charges relating to his purchase of a gun in 2018, including making a false statement on a federal form and possession of a firearm as a prohibited person.

Prosecutors say Hunter Biden was a drug user at the time of the purchase and was therefore not legally permitted to own the weapon and lied on a federal form by not disclosing his drug use.