Document: 404 U.S. 336 92 S.Ct. 515 30 L.Ed.2d 488 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Denneth BASS. No. 70—71. Argued Oct. 18, 1971. Decided Dec. 20, Syllabus Respondent was convicted of possessing firearms in violation § 1202(a)(1) the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, which provides that a person felony 'who receives, possesses, or transports commerce affecting . any firearm .' shall be punished as prescribed therein. The indictment did not allege no attempt made to show involved had been possessed 'in commerce,' Government contending statute does require proof connection with interstate individual cases involving possession receipt. Doubting its constitutionality if were thus construed, Court Appeals reversed. Held: It is clear from language legislative history whether receipt by felon has shown an prosecution have connected commerce. ambiguity this provision (which only criminal but one whose broad construction would define federal offense conduct readily proscribed States), must therefore resolved favor narrower reading nexus respect all three offenses embraced provision. Pp. 339—351. 434 F.2d 1296, affirmed. Roger A. Pauley, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. William E. Hellerstein, New York City, respondent. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 Southern District Title VII Act 1968, 18 U.S.C.App. 1202(a). In pertinent part, reads: 2 'Any who— 3 (1) court United States State political subdivision thereof who fined more than $10,000 imprisoned two years, both.'1 4 evidence showed respondent, previously State, on separate occasions pistol then shotgun. There allegation either commerce.' proceeded assumption 1202(a) banned possessions receipts felons, demonstrated cases. 5 After his conviction,2 respondent unsuccessfully moved arrest judgment primary grounds: reach that, it did, Congress overstepped constitutional powers under Commerce Clause. 308 F.Supp. 1385. reversed conviction, being view Government's accepted, there substantial doubt about statute's constitutionality. 1296 (CA 2). We granted certiorari, 401 993, 91 1234, 28 530 resolve conflict among lower courts over proper statute.3 affirm below, substantially different reasons.4 conclude 1202 ambiguous critical respect. Because sanctions are because, broader reading, mark major inroad into domain traditionally left States, we refuse adopt absence clearer direction Congress. 6 * Not wishing 'to give point quip when doubtful do you go statute,'5 begin looking text itself. textual question statutory phrase commerce' applies 'possesses' 'receives' well 'transports.' If does, prove essential element possession, receipt, transportation commerce'—a burden undertaken possession. 7 While read view, 'the natural language' suggests clause qualifies antecedents list. Porto Rico Railway Light & Power Co. v. Mor, 253 345, 348, 40 516, 518, 64 L.Ed. 944 (1920). Since undeniably at least antecedent, since makes sense three, plausible here fact three. But although beginning, argument certainly neither overwhelming nor decisive.6 8 significant respect, however, provide support respondent's reading. Undeniably, part 'transports' offense. 'transports,' curious reach. permitting unless transported prohibit firearms, both intrastate receipts. virtually transportations, intrastate, involve accompanying odd indeed argue hand reaches receipts, other outlaws transportations. Even assuming can 'transport' without receiving it, reason consistent discernible purpose apply requirement alone.7 short, convincing explanation inclusion word far likely meant As below noted, such purase 'mirror(s) approach jurisdiction reflected many statutes.'8 9 Nevertheless, argues preferred because defendant's interpretation make redundant IV same Act. IV, inter alia, crime four categories people—including those punishable term exceeding year—'to ship transport ammunition foreign (or) receive shipped U.S.C. 922(g) (h). Senator Long, sponsor VII, represented Dodd, complement IV. 114 Cong.Rec. 14774; see also 16286. Respondent's fully view. First, subsections Titles address their prohibitions some people, each groups people reached other.9 Secondly, complements punishing class behavior. out received commerce'; apparently transactions all, even nexus, limited sending transportation.10 10 addition, whatever adopted, are, redundant. minimally transportation. prohibits criminals transporting commerce, overlap readings. eliminate redundancy, simply creates larger area overlap. stronger ground necessary unique independent thrust, case here. event, circumstances surrounding passage plain carefully molded last-minute Senate amendment Amendment hastily passed, little discussion, hearings report.11 notion enacted dovetail neatly rests perhaps conception model process; cannot pretend statutes statutes. should interpret eye landscape ear harmonizing potentially discordant provisions, these guiding principles substitutes congressional lawmaking. our conclusion drawn concerning correct VII. 11 Other aspects meager history, interpretation. On floor, introduced 1202, described various evils prompted statute. These included assassinations public figures threats operation businesses enough aggregate affect commerce.12 Such evils, note, most thoroughly mitigated forbidding every specified classes especially risky regardless gun possessed, received, specific remarks state mere guns showing nexus.13 Long never specifically says need case. And nothing statements explains why, irrelevant cases, all.14 Long's crystal us, they colleagues. Meager discussion was, few Congressmen discussed summarized 'mak(ing) Federal take, possess, across lines ..' 16298 (statement Rep. Pollock). 12 (the) hardly speaks clarity supposedly furnishes order enable them enforce true will.' Universal Camera Corp. NLRB, 340 474, 483, 71 456, 462, 95 456 (1951). Here, legislators 'are sufficiently ambiguous, insofar narrow issue concerned invite mutually destructive dialectic,' much more. FCC Columbia Broadcasting System, 311 132, 136, 61 152, 154, 85 87 (1940). Taken together, materials inconclusive central standing alone, might tip favor, better presence concedes logic clarity.' Pet. Cert. 5. 'seiz(ing) thing aid derived,' Fisher, Cranch 358, 386, 304 (1805) (Marshall, C.J.), II 13 Given ambiguity, reading: offenses, present conviction set aside failed requisite This result dictated wise long followed. 14 recently reaffirmed, 'ambiguity ambit lenity.' Rewis 808, 812, 1056, 1059, 493 (1971). See Ladner 358 169, 177, 79 209, 213, 199 (1958); Bell 349 81, 75 620, 99 905 (1955); Five Gambling Devices, etc., 346 441, 74 190, 98 179 (1953) (plurality affirmance). ways stated 'when choice between readings what crime, appropriate, before choose harsher alternative, spoken definite.' C.I.T. Credit Corp., 344 218, 221—222, 73 227, 229, 97 260 (1952). principle founded policies tradition. 'a fair warning given world common will understand, law intends certain line passed. To fair, so possible clear.' McBoyle 283 25, 27, 51 340, 341, 816 (1931) (Holmes, J.).15 Cardiff, 174, 189, 200 Second, seriousness penalties, punishment usually represents moral condemnation community, legislatures activity. policy embodies instinctive distastes against men languishing prison lawmaker clearly said should.' H. Friendly Frankfurter Reading Statutes, Benchmarks 196, 209 (1967). Thus, where statute, doubts defendant. 'plainly unmistakably,' Gradwell, 243 476, 485, 37 407, 411, 857 (1917), possess absent 15 second supporting today's result: conveys clearly, deemed significantly changed federal-state balance.16 reluctant denounced States.17 rooted concepts American federalism provided basis judge-made doctrines. See, e.g., Younger Harris, 37, 746, 27 669 emphasized last Term supra, quick assume effect change sensitive relation jurisdiction. areas, legislation balance, statement assures legislature faced, intended bring issue, matters judicial decision. Rewis, declined accept expansive Travel so, then, 'would alter federalstate relationships (and) could overextend police resources.' noted '(i)t us weigh merits factors,' went strongly intend (the reach).' U.S., S.Ct., 1059. instant case, urged renders local matter enforcement extension resources. Absent dramatically intrudes upon traditional scanty concluding faced serious questions balance way now claimed Government. intention here, 'mere possession' firearms. III 16 Having concluded add final obviously meet variety ways. note these. For example, 'possesses time moving facility, affects Significantly reach, 'receiv(ing) meets demonstrates traveled commerce.18 narrowest canons strict 'not mean meaning complete disregard legislature.' Bramblett, 348 503, 510, 504, 508, 594 (1955). basic uncertainty firearm. But, restricting firearm-related activity requirement, narrow, appropriate. regard jurisdiction, preserves suited alone. 17 Affirmed. 19 BRENNAN joins except Part III. No quantum establish prima facie he await properly presenting deciding it. 20 BLACKMUN, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, joins, dissenting. 21 I join Court's judgment. six appeals passed presented decided adversely position Cabbler, 429 577 (CA4 1970), cert. denied, 400 901, 138, 138; Mullins, 432 1003 1970); Donofrio, 450 1054 (CA5 1971); Stevens 440 144 (CA6 1971) (one judge dissenting); Synnes, 438 764 (CA8 Wiley, 773 Taylor, 774 Daniels, 431 697 (CA9 Crow, 439 1193 1971). Only Second Circuit stands opposed.1 22 1. (a), arguably and, concedes, clarity,'2 enough. structure vital punctuation refer wished say welcome cat, dog, cow jumps moon, 'I like moon.' So 23 2. implants justified addition interposition comma after perceive warrant transfiguration. 24 3. very 'after date enactment Act' separated commas modifies preceding words, 'receives,' 'possesses,' Obviously, draftsman—and Congress—knew use modification. attendant use. 25 4. finding 12013 attempting felon; found affected commerce; less concern That unnecessary required 26 explanatory comments reveal purpose, intent, extent legislation: prepared offer appropriate time, setting forth anybody permitted .. 'It analyze, moment, involved. When man felony, bill sets forth—he expressly pardoned President pardon states future, right He criminally them.' 13868 (emphasis supplied). 29 'So finds weapons wrong kind threat free flow 'You business area, like, through street burglars, murderers, arsonists armed teeth innocent citizens. 13869 31 'What seeks unlawful firearm—be handgun, machinegun, longrange rifle, firearm—to lost relates 32 'Clauses 1—5 describe persons who, actions, dangerous, may become dangerous. Stated simply, trusted becoming society. title guns. 33 'All murderers violent tendencies committed infamous. They gun. Yet, deny undesirables. 34 'The killer Medgar Evers, murderer civil rights workers Mississippi, defendants shot Captain Lemuel Penn (on highway while driving back Washington completion reserve Military duty) acquire another repeat sorts crimes future. 35 citizen until commission first felony. Upon assassin, murderer, thief burglar future Governor authorized 36 lacks power outlaw weapons. '. important deadly weapon controlled Congress, resides Constitution. 38 'Without question, control 39 'State laws exist proven inadequate bar purposes 'Nor impinge citizens generally legitimate lawful purposes. deals solely firearm—those prior acts—mostly voluntary—have placed outside 41 am convinced possessing, receiving, 42 'This participates marches carrying violating law. 14773—14774 43 One detect restrict limit type considered proscription. 44 6. 1202(a), limiting application shrinks something duplication §§ ascribe gesture nonaccomplishment. 45 move decide Section reads full: '(1) '(2) discharged Armed Forces dishonorable conditions, '(3) adjudged mentally incompetent, '(4) having renounced citizenship, '(5) alien illegally unlawfully both.' acquitted count charging him during sale narcotic drug), 924(c)(2). At date, circuits numerous district issue. adopted 1970). Harbin, 313 50 (N.D.Ind.1970); Steed, CR 70—57 (WD Tenn., May 11, Phelps, CR—14,465 (MD Feb. 10, CR—14465 Tenn.1970); Francis, 12,684 (ED 12, 1969). light disposition whether, findings, constitutionally punish firearms; thus, consider relevance, connection, recent decision Perez 402 146, 1357, 686 definition 'felony' 1202(c)(2) classification Fifth raised Petition Certiorari, Frankfurter, Some Reflections 47 Col.L.Rev. 527, 543 (1947). Compare Standard Brewery, Inc., 251 210, 139, 140, 229 (1920), FTC Mandel Brothers, 359 385, 389—390, 818, 822, 823, 893 (1959); J. Sutherland Statutory Construction 4921 (3d ed. 1943); K. Llewellyn, Common Law Tradition 527 (1960). Government, noting indicates intent qualifying antecedent. leading grammarians, sometimes end series avoid concede discretionary. B. Evans C. Evans, A Dictionary Contemporary Usage 103 (1957); M. Nicholson, American-English 94 R. Copperud, Style 94—95 (1964); cf. W. Strunk White, Elements 1—2 (1959). grammarians divided, surely cheerfully tolerant, attach significance omitted comma. interpretation, grammatical expertise help clarify meaning. urges includes act 'causing transported,' connote 'possesses.' From this, 'Congress felt scope compared terms qualification requirement.' Brief 14—15. comparative breadth follow beyond 'might felt' purely speculative, arguable supplying acquisition. F.2d, 1298. 2421 (prostitution); 1952 (Travel Act); 1951 (robbery extortion); 1231 (strikebreaking); 1201 (kidnaping); 1084 (gambling); 842(i) (explosives); et seq. (antitrust); 77e (securities fraud). limits discharges Services, 'mentally incompetent,' aliens country, former citizenship. n. 1, supra. defined 'any imprisonment year, include (other explosive) classified misdemeanor years 1202(c)(2). 'under for, of, year'; fugitives justice; users addicts drugs; adjudicated 'mental defective(s) committed' mental institution. (h), modified recodified version 902(e) (f) (1964 ed.), Stat. 757, turn amended original 1938, 52 1250, 1251. Each enlarged group coming within Act's substantive wording remained identical, 'shall presumptive (in commerce).' presumption struck down Tot 319 463, 63 1241, 1519 (1943), noted: '(T)he confined extend transaction, articles which, interstate.' Id., 466, 1244. itself finally day, learning indicating 1968 'receipt' S.Rep.No.1097, 90th Cong., 2d Sess., 115 (1968); U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News, p. 2112. started life measure designed governments means financial administrative assistance. H.R.Rep.No.488, 1st Sess. House August 8, 1967, Senate. similar (S. 917) Committee Judiciary, rewrote completely. amendments much-debated provisions regarding admissibility confessions, wiretapping, control. 17, floor S. 917, designated His introductory amendment. 13867—13869. About week later explained once again. brief debate; reaction favorable cautious, 'further thought' 'study' suggested several favorably inclined Senators observed problems drafted. Unexpectedly, call vote 14772—14775. passing mention bill, 16286, 16298, committee consideration study either. 13868—13871, began announcing: (or comes categories) 13868. same, additional, reasons, 1201, contains 'findings' applicable decisive section reports that: hereby declares veterans incompetents, constitutes— safety Vice impediment exercise speech religion guaranteed Constitution continued effective government article Constitution.' findings 'wholly unnecessary' felons. 'burdens' 'threats' Congress' act; tell how perceived invoked. actually appear 'findings,' though concededly Holmes prefaced much-quoted observation 'it murders steals acquisition unreasonable imagine '(steer) careful course (and conduct),' Hood, 343 148, 151, 72 568, 570, 96 846 Of course, prohibiting felons N.Y. Penal 265.05 (McKinney's Consol.Laws, c. 40, Supp.1971 1972), unreal notice own Geisel, Roll, Wettick, Effectiveness Local Regulation Handguns: Statistical Analysis, 1969 Duke L.J. 647, 652—653. ex-offenders laws, problem quite real. Apex Hosiery Leader, 310 469, 513, 60 982, 1002, 84 1311 (1940); 449—450, 194—195, opinion); Bunte Bros., 312 349, 351, 354—355, 580, 581, 583—584, 881 (1941); 539—540 Cf. Auto, Aircraft Agr. Implement Workers Wisconsin Employment Relations Board, 351 266, 274—275, 76 794, 799—800, 100 1162 (1956); Palmer Massachusetts, 79, 83—84, 34, 36—37, 93 (1939); Leiter Minerals, Inc. 352 220, 225—226, 77 287, 290—291, 267 (1957). Hart Sacks, Legal Process: Basic Problems Making Application 1241 (tent. 1958). difference 342—343. Unappealed decisions conflict. Those upholding Davis, 314 1161 (ND Miss. Vicary, 44,205 Mich., June 29, 1970) (en banc); Childress, 8039—R Va., Jan. 6, 1969); Boggs, 8138 (Wyo., opposed Ind.1970); 14,465 '§ 1201. Congressional declaration.

Category: 0