Opinion ID: 766175
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, whoever

Text: 18 (A) knowingly makes any false statement or representation with respect to the information required by this chapter to be kept in the records of a person licensed under this chapter or in applying for any license or exemption or relief from disability under the provisions of this chapter; 19 . . . . 20 (D) willfully violates any other provision of this chapter, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than five years, or both. 21 Id. Michels and Kimpton argue that the statutory scheme of 924 requires that they be charged under 924(a)(3) as follows: 22 (3) Any licensed dealer, licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed collector who knowingly 23 (A) makes any false statement or representation with respect to the information required by the provisions of this chapter to be kept in the records of a person licensed under this chapter . . . . 24 . . . shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than one year, or both. 25 Id. They argue that in implementing this provision, Congress intended to limit the criminal liability of federally-licensed gun dealers for false statements on ATF forms to those violations committed knowingly. They reason that because the 18 U.S.C. 922(m) count S a willful violation of which would qualify for felony punishment under 924(a)(1)(D) S was dismissed prior to trial, only 924(a)(1)(A) remains, which by its terms applies only to a knowing violation. As an initial matter, we reject the government's contention that the use of the word willfully in the conspiracy language of Count I transforms the mens rea of the substantive offense of 924(a)(1)(A) from knowingly to willfully in order to incorporate 924(a)(1)(D). Section 924(a)(1)(A) was the only remaining count against Michels and Kimpton; thus, they cannot be charged with willfully violating that statute. 26 We do not, however, agree with Michels and Kimpton that they could not properly be charged under 924(a)(1)(A). There is simply nothing in the language or legislative history of the statute or legislative history to indicate Congress intended to do anything more than allow for the option of misdemeanor prosecution for licensed dealers who make false statements on ATF forms, while leaving intact the felony prosecution structure for those such as Michels and Kimpton whose flagrant and repeated actions in accepting false ATF forms from straw purchasers and backdating ATF forms to avoid notification requirements warrants felony punishment. 27 The legislative history of the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986, which added the misdemeanor provisions of 924(a)(3), suggests these amendments were intended to ensure that law-abiding citizens would not be subject to severe criminal penalties for unintentional missteps. United States v. Obiechie, 38 F.3d 309, 312 (7th Cir. 1994). Although not a model of clarity, we believe the two provisions of 924 reflect a legislative compromise-the sponsors of 924(a)(3) wanted to ensure that technical or unimportant violations would not be punished too harshly 4 while allowing for felony prosecution of more serious offenses. This sentiment is reflected in the Congressional Record: 28 The aim of the Firearm Owners Protection Act is to redirect law enforcement toward the kind of transaction most likely to be a factor in violent firearms crime. In other words, we have to stop going after the guy who transposes a number in a zip code, and go after the dealer who is knowingly selling stolen guns, or knowingly selling to prohibited persons. 29 132 Cong. Rec. 9603 (1986) (remarks of Sen. McClure). Without the option of charging dealers under the felony provisions of 924, it would be impossible for law enforcement to go after the first link in a chain which results in a plentiful supply of firearms for use in violent crime. We do not believe that Congress intended to insulate from punishment dealers such as Michels and Kimpton who knowingly participate in an illegal gun trafficking scheme that puts hundreds of firearms in the hands of Chicago gang members.