UNPUBLISHED

Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.

PER CURIAM.

Cecil Edward Jackson, a federal prisoner, appeals the district court's order dismissing his 28 U.S.C.A. § 2241 (West 2006 & Supp. 2013) petition seeking relief under Bailey v. United States, 516 U.S. 137 (1995), and Bousley v. United States, 523 U.S. 614 (1998). After the district court provided Jackson notice that it intended to characterize his petition as a 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255 (West Supp. 2013) motion, see Castro v. United States, 540 U.S. 375, 383 (2003) (requiring notice prior to recharacterizing motion as motion to vacate), Jackson opposed the recharacterization, arguing that he was entitled to proceed with his § 2241 petition under In re Jones, 226 F.3d 328, 333 (4th Cir. 2000). In its final order, the court noted that, while § 2241 may be a proper vehicle to assert a Bailey claim, Jackson had an "unobstructed procedural shot"1 at filing a § 2255 motion to take advantage of the change in law and, furthermore, Jackson subsequently had received a sentence reduction, which "reset the counter" on Jackson's ability to file a § 2255 motion.

Unlike the majority of § 2241 petitioners seeking relief under Jones, Jackson still has the opportunity to file his first § 2255 motion. See Rice, 617 F.3d at 807 ("[U]nder the Jones rule a federal prisoner is entitled to pursue a § 2241 motion only when he had no opportunity to utilize a § 2255 motion to take advantage of a change in the applicable law."). While Jackson correctly foresees that the limitations period may preclude his claim, "§ 2255 is not inadequate or ineffective merely because an individual is unable to obtain relief under that provision." Jones, 226 F.3d at 333.2 While it is true that this case has had a circuitous route to this point, Jackson had many opportunities to clear the path. His failure to diligently assert his rights bars his § 2241 claim. See Cephas v. Nash, 32 F.3d 98, 105 (2nd Cir. 2003) (holding that where "petitioner invokes § 2241 jurisdiction to raise claims that clearly could have been pursued earlier . . . the savings clause of § 2255 is not triggered and dismissal of the § 2241 petition for lack of jurisdiction is warranted").

For these reasons, although we grant leave to proceed in forma pauperis, we affirm the dismissal of Jackson's § 2241 petition as modified. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.