The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has by a narrow margin declined to reconsider its recent ruling overturning on First Amendment grounds a Louisiana law that makes it a crime to threaten public officials.

The decision, Seals v. McBee, focuses on Louisiana statute §14:122, which criminalizes “the use of violence, force, or threats” on any public officer or employee with the intent to influence the officer’s conduct in relation to his or her position.