Opinion ID: 544690
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Possession of a Weapon

Text: 11 North argues that the district court erred in enhancing his sentence for possession of firearms. The Guidelines provide: If a firearm or other dangerous weapon was possessed during commission of the offense, increase by two levels. USSG Sec. 2D.1(b)(1). The enhancement was based on weapons found in North's home at the time of his arrest, which included (1) a cap and ball pistol, (2) a .410 shotgun, and (3) a .22 caliber rifle. The court found that the weapons fit the definition of a firearm under the guidelines and concluded that North had constructive possession of the three weapons in that he had knowledge of presence plus control. 12 North argues that more than just knowledge of presence plus control is needed for enhancement. Although all three of the weapons in question satisfy the Guideline's definition of a firearm under section 2D1.1(b)(1), 5 and were technically in North's possession, see United States v. Jones, 875 F.2d 674, 675-76 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 110 S.Ct. 177, 107 L.Ed.2d 133 (1989), we find it clearly improbable that the weapon[s] [were] connected with the offense. 6 13 The cap and ball pistol is a model of a late nineteenth century Colt revolver. In order to fire the weapon, gun powder and lead balls must be poured into the chamber and a cap placed under the firing hammer. When the hammer is released, it strikes the cap causing a spark. The spark explodes the gun powder which in turn propels the lead balls out of the chamber. An expert opined that the weapon had not been fired in over a year, and a police officer testified that after an extensive search no firing caps were found in the home. While we do not disagree with the district court that this is a firearm for the purposes of section 2D1.1(b)(1), we find the district court to have erroneously concluded that it was not clearly improbable that the weapon was connected with the offense. 14 Also found during the search were a .410 shotgun and .22 caliber rifle. These weapons were found in North's son's room on the floor next to his bed. The .410 was unloaded and the .22 caliber rifle was inoperable after North's son attempted to load it with the wrong ammunition. North's son testified the weapons were his and were used for hunting purposes. He stated the last time his father used these guns was five years earlier when North was teaching him how to clean them. 15 We recognize that the room in which these weapons were found was next to North's room and that the door was open and unlocked, thus allowing access to the weapons by North if the need had arisen. We further acknowledge the district court's reliance on the amount of drug activity that took place in the home. We conclude, however, that this factual circumstance falls within the exception found in Application Note 3, relating to an unloaded hunting rifle in the closet, and warrants a finding that it is clearly improbable the guns were connected with the offense. 7