Opinion ID: 573384
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Walther PPK Pistol

Text: 26 We agree with the district court that a reasonable juror could have concluded that Murphy used the Walther PPK pistol in relation to a drug trafficking offense. The pistol, although not located in the same room as the marijuana, was located in the room where Stokes and the Coopers testified the marijuana was delivered to purchasers, and where purchasers smoked with Murphy in order to show that they were not undercover agents or informants. In order to convict under section 924(c), the government need not show that the gun was kept with the drugs; it is sufficient that the weapon is in the same area of the place where drug transactions occur and thus accessible in an emergency. United States v. Lyman, 892 F.2d 751, 754 (8th Cir.1989), cert. denied, 111 S.Ct. 45 (1990). Murphy used the pistol then, within the meaning of section 924(c)(1), because he had placed the weapon to have it available for ready use during the transaction. United States v. Meggett, 875 F.2d 24, 29 (2d Cir.), cert. denied sub nom. Bradley v. United States, 110 S.Ct. 166 (1989).