Opinion ID: 2625
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Other associated terms

Text: As we noted in United States v. Dauray, 215 F.3d 257 (2d Cir.2000), the meaning of doubtful terms or phrases may be determined by reference to their relationship with other associated words or phrases ( noscitur a sociis ). Id. at 262. In addition, where general words are accompanied by a specific enumeration of persons or things, the general words should be limited to persons or things similar to those specifically enumerated ( ejusdem generis ). Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). Section 7903(5)(A)(iii) states that the exception set out therein includ[es]: (I) any case in which the manufacturer or seller knowingly made any false entry in, or failed to make appropriate entry in, any record required to be kept under Federal or State law with respect to the [firearm], or aided, abetted, or conspired with any person in making any false or fictitious oral or written statement with respect to any fact material to the lawfulness of the sale or other disposition of a [firearm]; or (II) any case in which the manufacturer or seller aided, abetted, or conspired with any other person to sell or otherwise dispose of a [firearm], knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the actual buyer of the [firearm] was prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm or ammunition under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of Title 18; The general language contained in section 7903(5)(A)(iii) (providing that predicate statutes are those applicable to the sale or marketing of firearms) is followed by the more specific language referring to statutes imposing record-keeping requirements on the firearms industry, 15 U.S.C. § 7903(5)(A)(iii)(I), and statutes prohibiting firearms suppliers from conspiring with or aiding and abetting others in selling firearms directly to prohibited purchasers, 15 U.S.C. § 7903(5)(A)(iii)(II). Statutes applicable to the sale and marketing of firearms are said to include statutes regulating record-keeping and those prohibiting participation in direct illegal sales. Thus, the general term  applicable to  is to be construed to embrace only objects similar to those enumerated by sections 7903(5)(A)(iii)(I) and (II). See Keffeler, 537 U.S. at 384, 123 S.Ct. 1017. We accordingly conclude that construing the term applicable to to mean statutes that clearly can be said to regulate the firearms industry more accurately reflects the intent of Congress. Cf. Jarecki v. G.D. Searle & Co., 367 U.S. 303, 307, 81 S.Ct. 1579, 6 L.Ed.2d 859 (1961) (The maxim noscitur a sociis . . . is often wisely applied where a word is capable of many meanings in order to avoid the giving of unintended breadth to the Acts of Congress).