Document: 431 U.S. 563 97 S.Ct. 1963 52 L.Ed.2d 582 Richard A. SCARBOROUGH, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 75-1344. Argued March 2, 1977. Decided June 6, Syllabus In a prosecution for possession of firearm in violation the provision Title VII Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act 1968, 18 U.S.C. App. § 1202(a), making it crime convicted felon to possess "in commerce or affecting commerce" any firearm, proof that possessed previously traveled at some time interstate held sufficient satisfy statutorily required nexus between commerce. This is so, where, as this case, question before accused became felon; need not be "contemporaneous" with possession. Both text legislative history statute show congressional intent require no more than minimal have been, time, outlaw broadly, little concern when occurred. Pp. 567-577. 4 Cir., 539 F.2d 331, affirmed. On Writ Certiorari United States Court Appeals Fourth Circuit. Philip J. Hirschkop, Alexandria, Va., petitioner. Allen, Washington, D. C., respondent. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioner was possessing 1968 (Omnibus Act), U.S.C.App. §§ 1201-1203. The provides, pertinent part: 2 "Any person who 3 "(1) has been by court State political subdivision thereof felony . "and receives, possesses, transports shall fined $10,000 imprisoned two years, both." 1202(a).1 5 issue case whether 6 * 1972 petitioner pleaded guilty Circuit Fairfax County, narcotics distribute. A year later, August 1973, law enforcement officials, execution search warrant narcotics, seized four firearms from petitioner's bedroom. subsequently charged both receipt 1202(a)(1). 7 jury trial Eastern District Virginia, Government offered evidence all weapons had All dates established such travel were prior date felon.2 made attempt prove acquired these after his conviction.3 Holding necessary conviction, judge, close Government's granted motion judgment acquittal on part indictment charging receipt. 8 Petitioner's defense charge twofold. As matter fact, he contended conviction longer firearms. His claim that, avoid violating statute, transferred guns wife pleading felony. Secondly, argued law, did provide an adequate furtherance defense, requested instructed follows: 9 "In order defendant found which charged, incumbent upon demonstrate 'possession' For example, 'possesses' if offense moving facility, affected It enough merely travelled ." 12-13. 10 judge rejected instruction. Instead informed jury: 11 "The government may meet its burden proving connection demonstrated 12 "It purchased gun state other where carried across line, nor must purchase gun." Id., 14. 13 appealed. 331. requirement satisfied view split among circuits issue,4 we certiorari. 429 815, 56, 50 74 (1976).5 We affirm. II 14 (1, 2) Our first encounter came v. Bass, 404 336, 92 515, 30 488 (1971). There decide statutory phrase 1202(a) applied "possesses" "receives" well "transports." noted model clarity. one hand, "significant support" contention "reaches mere without showing nexus" individual cases. U.S., 345-346, S.Ct., 521. could ignore Congress' inserting statute. 345, clearly modified "transport" find sensible explanation requiring only transport. 340, 519. Faced ambiguity,6 adopted narrower reading three offenses. result dictated principles interpretation: First, "ambiguity concerning ambit criminal statutes should resolved favor lenity," Rewis States, 401 808, 812, 91 1056, 1059, 28 493 (1971), second, "unless Congress conveys purpose clearly, will deemed significantly changed federal-state balance," supra, 349, 523. Since "(a)bsent each dramatically intrudes traditional jurisdiction," 350, 524, unwilling conclude, "clearer statement intention," ibid., meant dispense entirely 15 unnecessary Bass us what would constitute all. While suggest possibilities,7 present presents opportunity focus benefit full briefing argument. 16 position establish contends, however, possession, proscribes "only crimes commerce." Brief 9. He suggests possessor engaging carrying facility. Tr. Oral Arg. 11. At oral argument suggested alternative theory can so long conviction. 15. 17 our effort resolve dispute, turn contends meaning readily determined face least contrasted IV Act, another title dealing control.8 points section IV, 922(h), arguing, reliance decision Barrett 423 212, 96 498, 46 450 (1976), shows how can, chooses, specify based employed perfect tense, prohibited receiving "which shipped transported foreign choice tense led conclude "denot(ed) act completed." 216, 501. Thus, argues, since knows completed transactions, failure use language mean wanted reach ongoing transactions. essential difficulty very meaningful compare IV. See 344, 520. last-minute amendment enacted hastily discussion hearings.9 product deliberation draftsmanship. 339, 518, hand carefully constructed package control legislation. obvious tenses used throughout chosen care. addition prohibition 922(h) felons, also illegal 922(g) "ship transport ammunition 922(j), unlawful "any receive, conceal, store, barter, sell dispose of, stolen , as, constitutes, And 922 (k) makes knowingly transport, ship, commerce, (its) serial number removed, obliterated altered." fine nuances easily "Congress knew significance employed." 217, chose "without ambiguity." "Had intended confine direct receipt, provided, just sections (Title IV)." 19 contrast, ambiguous best. true choose precise indicate required, neither (j) contemporaneous offense. while correct noting skills precise, fact employ those here helps 20 revealing, findings inclusion "affecting are somewhat helpful. beginning VII, expressly declared "the transportation felons constitutes threat free flow commerce," 1201(1).10 then implemented prohibiting possessions observed, aware "distinction legislation limited activities 'in commerce' assertion Commerce Clause power cover activity substantially American Bldg. Maintenance Industries, 422 271, 280, 95 2150, 2156, 45 177 (1975); see NLRB Reliance Fuel Oil Corp., 371 224, 226, 83 312, 313, 279 (1963). Indeed, awareness explicitly here. arguing could, consistent Constitution, "outlaw weapons," Senator Long, introducing pointed "many items transactions reached broad swath Civil Rights 1964 virtue regulate matters itself". 114 Cong.Rec. 13868 (1968). advised similar urged simply (find) wrong kind people either affects 13869. sure do away requirement, does seem apparent implementing occur facilities. basis contending weapon differently retained. 21 entirety, brief, further supports sought rule broadly keep out hands "they trusted becoming society." 14773. indication movement acquisition. 22 amendment, Long stated: 23 "I prepared I offer appropriate setting forth anybody permitted .. 24 might analyze, moment, logic involved. When man felony, unless bill sets pardoned President pardon states future, right punished criminally them. 25 seems me strikes people. avoids problem imposing honest hardware store owner keeping lot records trying up ultimate disposition sold. places punishment business event they come into them." 13868-13869. 26 complement 14774; id., 16286. noted: 27 "Of bills suggested, debated, discussed considered, none except attempts bar persons whose behaviors their violent tendencies. ". Under every citizen until commission Upon deny assassin, murderer, thief burglar (sic ) future 29 "Despite said about controlling Country, heretofore get Oswalds Galts. They types aimed." 14773-14774. proposed remedy thought erroneous conception drafters there "a constitutional doubt Federal weapons." 13868. 31 regard apply revealed colloquy Senators McClellan: 32 "Mr. McClellan. study amendment. occurred me, explained it, penitentiary, felon, pardoned, condition able referred, granting him bear arms, own shotgun hunting? 33 Louisiana. No, not. but it. 34 beg Senator's pardon? 35 seek anything owns firearm. carry around; 36 Could home? 37 not." 14744 (emphasis added). 38 McClellan taken conference "further thought." Ibid. appeared destination, House, Senate passage bill, defeated go entire including alteration. 16077-16078, 16299-16300. thus modification. 39 foregoing proscribe constitutionality observed ambivalence clear entirely. However, commerce.11 particular, support theories. 40 Initially, note fully comprehending view, purchases once nexus. necessary, addition, If, same dealer day opposed before, somehow magically appears, regardless purchaser carries particular place. Such interpretation strains credulity. construction.12 41 More significantly, theories create serious loopholes plan "make felon." 14773 obtained retain forever caught allows period arrest stockpile impunity. impede efforts. Those acquire obviously surreptitiously and, concedes, 19, difficult practical began possessor's 42 responds fails give effect terms possess, argues someone necessarily therefore, include offenses frivolous,13 similarly vulnerable. By definitions, essentially acquires facility presumably transporting.14 definitions sides fail real substance terms. difference, definition captures essence intent, striking "who (them)." 13869 version, completely fulfill purpose. virtually eliminates focused enacting law. 43 (3) Finally, seeks invoke construction relied lenity construing caution balance implicated. Petitioner, overlooks guides concluded "(a)fter 'seizing thing aid derived,' left statute." 347, 522. applicable uncertain statute's complete disregard legislature." Bramblett, 348 503, 510, 75 504, 508, 99 L.Ed. 594 (1955). Here, clear. conflicting pull confronted Bass. unambiguous even reason because "plainly unmistakably" 348, But requirement. 44 proper standard, affirm ordered. REHNQUIST took consideration case. 47 STEWART, dissenting. 48 So far record reflects, 1972. Until legal under federal Court's 1202(a)(1), automatically moment my inconsistent time-honored statutes. See, e. g., 493; Ladner 358 169, 177-178, 79 209, 213-214, 199; Bell 349 81, 83, 620, 622, 905; Universal C. I. T. Credit 344 218, 221-222, 73 227, 229-230, 260. hold 1202(a)(1) play comes 49 compel adopts. covers "(a)ny Plainly acts transporting defendant's indicate, begin becomes adjudged And, observes, ante, 576-577, redundant. If postconviction almost never situation rely against gun, most cases latter generally easier prove. refers begins proceed cases, relying (or vice versa). much help. statements suggesting felon. Other statements, intimate prevent coming instance, drafter sponsor 1202, stated "places Later added "would 51 short, disagree scope crystal room operation lenity. mandate construe lawful presumed innocent proved guilty, instantly wholly different offense.1 equally read conviction.2 That being alternative, "it appropriate, harsher spoken definite. derive outlawry implication." 222, 229. violate (1). Accordingly, respectfully dissent Section reads full: "(a) Any "(2) discharged Armed Forces dishonorable conditions, "(3) mentally incompetent, "(4) having renounced citizenship, "(5) alien illegally unlawfully enactment showed Colt revolver Connecticut North Carolina 1969 entered Virginia unknown means, 6-7; Enforcer Florida 1970, 7-8; M-1 carbine rifle sent Maryland Illinois 1966, 8-9; St. Etienne Ordinance manufactured France 19th century later brought 9-10. bought 1970. regarding acquisition claimed 88, 108. French revolver, claimed, house shortly whom. 105. Agreeing previous provides Sixth Circuit, Jones, 533 1387 (1976) Tenth Bumphus, 508 1405 (1975) (dictum). Three Circuits indicated requires Ressler, 536 208 (CA7 1976); Bell, 524 202 (CA2 1975); Steeves, 525 (CA8 1975) Ninth apparently intra-Circuit conflict. Compare Malone, 538 250 Cassity, 509 682 (1974), Burns, 529 (CA9 1975). grant petition "(w)hether erred holding sustainable however remote Amendment excluded. commentator described dilemma: "(T)he looked way structure another, clear." Stern, Revisited Federalization Intrastate Crime, Ariz.L.Rev. 281 (1973). n. 11, infra. provisions re-enacted relevant change Gun 82 Stat. 1213. convenience, referred collectively introduced floor May 17, 1968. About week again; brief debate; vote called; agreed committee. hearings committee reports. received passing mention House either. 1201 entirety: "Congressional declaration. hereby finds declares veterans mental incompetents, aliens country, former citizens safety Vice impediment exercise speech religion guaranteed Constitution continued effective article Constitution." distinction stricter make sense, F.2d, persuaded made. particularly concerned impact means insure VII. laws "inadequate likely them purposes" buttress States' efforts, 14774 indications broadly. sounds like define raised objections court's Even text. word "acquire" few times discussing dangers certain guns, Furthermore, term better synonym "receive" "possess." Kelly, 519 251, 253 note, arguable receive perhaps exercising dominion over waiting transporting. true, inconceivable, history, scope. construction, bookkeeper hunting commits embezzlement will, immediately 1202(a). reasonable relinquish prosecutorial discretion take care problem. Proper cannot depend good enforce Contrary suggestion, allow "to impunity." Ante, 576. punishable imprisonment exceeding

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