Document: 415 U.S. 814 94 S.Ct. 1262 39 L.Ed.2d 782 William C. HUDDLESTON, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 72-1076. Argued Nov. 7, 1973. Decided March 26, 1974. Syllabus Petitioner, a previously convicted felon, was of violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6), part the Gun Control Act 1968, by falsely stating, in connection with redemption from pawnbroker three guns petitioner had pawned, that he not been crime punishable imprisonment for more than year. The federally licensed firearms dealer. Court Appeals affirmed. Section 922(a)(6) makes it an offense knowingly to make false statement 'in acquisition . any firearm dealer' and 'intended or likely deceive such dealer respect fact material lawfulness sale other disposition ..' Held: applies pawnshop. Pp. 819-833. (a) Petitioner's contention statute covers only sale-like transaction is without merit, since 'acquisition' as used clearly includes person, definition, who 'comes into possession, control, power disposal' firearm. Moreover, statutory terms 'sale disposition' are correlatives. It reasonable conclude might 'dispose' through redemptive transaction. Finally, Congress explicitly included pawnbrokers Act, specifically mentioned pledge pawn transactions involving firearms, did include them exemptions. 819-823. (b) That pawnshop redemptions covered challenged provision comports legislative history Title IV Omnibus Crime Safe Streets 1968 which aimed at controlling access weapons those whose possession thereof contrary public interest, regulatory scheme focusing on 824-829. (c) contains no ambiguity warranting narrow construction petitioner's favor, application here raises issue constitutional dimension. 830-833. 472 F.2d 592, Harvey I. Saferstein, Los Angeles, Cal., petitioner. Danny Julian Boggs, Bowling Green, Ky., respondent. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 This case presents whether 922(a)(6),1 declaring unlawful dealer,' 2 * On October 6, 1971, petitioner, Huddleston, Jr., pawned his wife's Winchester 30-30-caliber rifle $25 Oxnard, California. following 15 December 28, same shop two Russian 7.62-caliber Remington .22-caliber rifle, belonging wife. For these received loans $10 $15, respectively. owner 3 Some weeks later, February 1, 1972, 10, Huddleston redeemed weapons. In each redemptions, required complete Treasury Form 4473, entitled 'Firearms Transaction Record.' form enforcement gun control Pub.L. 90-351, 82 Stat. 225, amended 90-618, 1213, above-cited part. Question 8b is: 4 'Have you court term exceeding one year? (Note: actual sentence given judge does matter—a yes answer necessary if could have year.)' 5 question derived prohibition against dealer's selling otherwise disposing person 'has of, year.' 922(d)(1).2 Petitioner answered 'no' Forms 4473. He then affixed signature form's certification answers were true correct, understood questions affirmative prohibited federal law 'purchasing and/or possessing firearm,' also making felony. 6 fact, six years earlier, California state writing checks sufficient funds, under maximum 14 years.3 revealed proprietor, would precluded proprietor rifles because proscription 922(d)(1). 7 charged three-count indictment §§ 924(a).4 moved dismiss indictment, ground never intended apply, should pawnor's weapon pawned. motion denied. pleaded guilty waived jury trial. 8 Government's evidence consisted primarily 4473 signed; record earlier felony conviction; pawnbroker's license. A Government agent testified after being arrested advised rights, made statements admitting known, when filling out forms, felon lied time negative. 9 own defense. stated statement; read simply upon prompting pawnbroker; unaware conviction year.5 10 District Judge found all counts. sentenced concurrent three-year terms. sentences suspended, however, except 20 days be served weekends. United States Ninth Circuit, divided vote, affirmed conviction. 592 (1973). dissenting agreed applied, but concluded what 'reacquire' rifles, necessarily within statute's 'acquire.' Id., 593. We granted certiorari, 411 930, 93 1898, 36 389 (1973), resolve existing conflict among circuits firearm's pawnshop.6 II 11 assault pronged. First, argued both language its indicate intend statute. Second, said even 'acquisition,' so ambiguous controlled maxim criminal resolved favor defendant. 12 turn first structure Act. Reduced minimum, relates firearm' 'with firearm.' 13 attaches great significance word 'acquisition.' urges suggests Since use words transfer delivery, sections argues must narrower meaning temporary bailment personal property, having merely security interest pledged title ownership constant pawnor, pawnplus-redemption interruption possession. pawnor repossesses 'acquire' new object At most, 'reacquires' object, reacquisition, noted, face, this argument some force. careful look complementary provisions convinces us asserted contrived. mistaken solely enshrouding extra-statutory 'legal title' 'ownership' analysis. defined mean 'to come disposal of.' Webster's New International Dictionary (3d ed., 1966, unabridged); v. Laisure, 460 709, 712 n. (CA5 1972). There intimation power, there nothing else justifies imposition gloss. full reading demonstrates 'or therefore, cannot considered apart phrase disposition.' As suggests, indeed implicitly reasoned oral argument, Tr. Oral Arg. 11, 'sells' 'disposes' transferee 'acquires.' These words, statute, focus our inquiry, determine encompasses pawnor. Clearly, 'sale' simple reason has definite connotations title. 'other firearm, easily encompass redemption. believe does. 16 sells disposes defines be: 17 '(A) engaged business ammunition wholesale retail, (B) repairing fitting special barrels, stocks, trigger mechanisms (C) pawnbroker.' 921(a)(11) (emphasis supplied). 'pawnbroker' 'any occupation taking receiving, way pawn, payment repayment money.' 921(a)(12) 19 definitions surely suggest This, course, itself exactly included. apparent, default sales goods, retail nonpawned exclude articles, explicit inclusion definition 'dealer' serve purpose, (A) covering sales, reach sales. Rosen, 352 F.Supp. 727, 729 (D.C. Idaho 1973). counsel suggested specific reference 'disposition' barter, swap, trade, gift. 5-7. interpretation strains belief. Trades gifts peculiar pawnbrokers. Wholesalers retailers may indulge dispositions. prompted mention definition. To contrary, committee reports 'specifically provides dealing shall dealer.' H.R.Rep.No.1577, 90th Cong., 2d Sess., (1968) See S.Rep.No.1501, 30 (1968), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News p. 4417. ignore 'by pawn' 921(a)(12). Had Congress' desire exempt kind, artfully worded it. equally impressed failure prohibitions carefully carved exceptions 'returning individual mailing 'for sole purpose repair customizing.' 922(a)(2)(A). contends different return left repair. His 'returned' represents mere restoration original status. believe, unreasonable choose view something typical thought indicates and, so, likewise covered. 21 Other clear generally transfers dealers recipients. 922(a)(1) importer, manufacturer, dealer, engage 'dealing' course ship, transport, receive 922(b)(1) sell deliver' specified types persons age. 922(b)(2) 'sell State where 'at place sale, delivery disposition,' violate local law. 922(d) dispose of' fugitive, narcotic addict, mental defective. 923(g) requires maintain 'records importation, production, shipment, receipt, disposition, firearms.' 22 sum, ambiguous, 'come[s] noted above, And failed exceptions, we liberty tamper obvious proscribing conduct engaged. III 23 history, too, supports apparent aims purposes method adopted achieve objectives. When enacted convicted, concerned widespread traffic their general availability interest. 1201, 236, 301(a)(1), 1236, U.S.C.App. 1201. determined ease obtained contributed significantly prevalence lawlessness violent States. S.Rep. 1097, 108 2112. principal legislation, crub keeping 'firearms hands legally possess age, background, incompetency.' 1501, (1968). 4410. 24 thus restricting firearms. Commerce channeled importers, manufacturers, attempt halt mail-order interstate consumer licensed, 923(a); keep records 923(g); subject penalty 924. 25 means providing adequate truthful information about transactions. Information drawn kept prime guarantee Act's effectiveness 'these lethal criminals, drug addicts, mentally disordered persons, juveniles, too high price danger allow.' 114 Cong.Rec. 13219 (remarks Sen. Tydings). Thus, eligibility obtain penalty. 26 From outline least insofar directly controls users. Firearms eliminate mail order commerce them, insure that, dispositions dealers, individuals conclusion reached above pawnshops covered, entirely consonant achievement congressional objective enforcing 27 Bramblett, 348 503, 507, 75 504, 99 L.Ed. 594 (1955), 'There indication either debates scope restricted' (footnotes omitted). Indeed, 'goes dispositions— over-the-counter well order.'7 115 34 far parties informed us, independent research revealed, discussion history. Previous legislation relating particular sheds light, prudence calls ascertaining purpose. Katz, 271 354, 357, 46 513, 514, 70 986 (1926). apparently origin 1(k) National 474, 48 1236 (1934). set certain conditions 'transfer' machine dangerous meant sell, assign, pledge, lease, loan, give away, 'otherwise context coverage. adopt accomplishes objective.8 28 can doubt intention deprive juvenile, incompetent, criminal, fugitive Senator Tydings stated: 29 'Title IV, concealed amendment, very limited, stripped-down, bare-minimum guntraffic bill, designed reduce handguns fugitives .. I fairly say amendment inconvenience hunters sportsmen way. people frustrate felons, today can, total anonymity impunity, crossing neighboring lax laws all, regardless State.' 13647 Congressman Celler, House Manager, 31 'Mr. Chairman, none support Federal bill system society will safe misuse. But convinced strengthened contribute reducting No dispute need prevent incompetents, disturbances, offenses, buying, owning, seeks maximize possibility persons.' Rec. 21784. 32 McCulloch, senior member Committee Judiciary, referring stated, '[The bill] [f]or obtaining licensee, representation acquisition.' 21789.9 Given unwarranted when, virtue itself, Otherwise, every evil hoped cure continue unabated.10 33 uncertain narrowly construed favor. Reliance placed 'ambiguity concerning ambit statutes lenity.' Rewis States, 401 808, 812, 91 1056, 1059, 493 (1971); Bass, 404 336, 347, 92 515, 522, 488 (1971). rule rooted concern belief fair warning accorded deprivation property. Wiltberger, Wheat. 76, 95, 37 (1820); supra, U.S., 348, S.Ct., 522-523. product awareness legislators courts define activity. Zeal forwarding laudable policies, permitted shadow understanding '[s]ound rules exist discover direct Congressional will.' ex rel. Marcus Hess, 317 537, 542, 63 379, 383, 87 443 (1943). Although penal strictly, they 'ought strictly defeat legislature.' American Fur Co. Pet. 358, 367, 450 (1829); supra; Morris, 464, 475, 543 (1840); Lacher, 134 624, 625, 1080 (1890); 510, 508; 351, 524. perceive grievous uncertainty proscribes him sanctions conduct. short notice actions unlawful. untruthfully preceded boldface type 'an untruthful prosecution.' forthright direct, stating year imposed actually given. certify correct 'the written felony.' type. consequences action. 35 Our viewed judicial usurpation function. reveals unmistakable transactions, unquestionably including pawnbrokers, 922(d). Under circumstances blindly incant lenity 'destroy spirit force legislature [and did] enact.' Tobacco Werckmeister, 207 284, 293, 72, 75, 52 208 (1907); 514.11 V lastly, raise moment, arise construed. fail see presence issues import. Huddleston's property just compensation. wife's. lawfully kind. Nor coerced. Knox, 396 77, 79, 90 363, 364-365, 275 (1969); Bryson 64, 355, 360, 264 (1969). nexus demonstrated. intended, properly (d)(1), contrast 1202(a)(1), wholly intrastate, correctly reasoned, 'on theory affect commerce.' F.2d, Menna, 451 982, 984 (CA9 1971), cert. denied, 405 963, 1170, 238 (1972), O'Neill, 467 1372, 1373-1374 (CA2 affirm judgment Appeals. 38 ordered. Judgment 40 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 41 minor version problem confronting Rosenberg 346 273, 73 1152, 97 1607. involved law, normally life. split tense period unhappily life—a break conscience sometime rectify. 42 present species genus. took loan undoubtedly 'acquired' prior time. therefore odd think occurring agree Fifth accused. quite consistently done, Rosenberg, past. 347-348, 522-523, 488, cases cited.* '§ 922. Unlawful acts. '(a) unlawful—— '(6) fictitious chapter.' '(d) knowing cause person—— '(1) for, Cal.Penal Code 476a (1970). complaint counts contained allegation Iowa which, committed California, violation 476 Penal Code. eventually check charge jail. Penalties. Whoever violates chapter chapter, fined $5,000, imprisoned five years, both, become eligible parole Board Parole determine.' attorney probation officer told completed restitution, 'it go misdemeanor,' 'couldn't get over App. 37, 39. Upon inquiry court, arraigned 'could year' informed. 41. agreement Circuit's decision Beebe, 222 (CA10 709 James V. Bennett, Director Bureau Prisons, Senate testimony offered 'case study' vividly illustrating nonsale situations qualify One illustrations following: 'On September 1958, 20-year-old youth shot seriously wounded teller during bank robbery St. Paul; week bought revolver, .357 Smith Wesson, Minneapolis sporting goods store, day, day money forgeries.' Bennett observation, 'No responsible thoughtful citizen my opinion, measures discourage youngsters, ill, criminals coming handguns.' Hearings before Subcommittee Investigate Juvenile Delinquency 88th 1st pt. 14, pp. 3369, 3377 (1963). Testimony Attorney General Ramsey Clark rejection suggestion restrictive meaning: Donohue. Do think, General, attain real deal whoever delivers? Clark. too.' Where? Well, talk about—well, importer deliver. Any restricted consideration? Anti-Crime Program 260 (1967). much guaranteeing interference distinguishing between law-abiding citizens Hunting, target practice, collecting, legitimate protection proscribed Ownership weapon, interfered seizure forfeiture provisions. 924(d) incorporates Internal Revenue regulation thereunder. contemplates fall incompetents. What few references definitely interested curbing felons. Tydings, strong proponent became expressed compared proposal alternative: '[O]ne assume critically important affidavit-waiting procedure. But, receives secondhand transporting, shipping, receiving foreign commerce. Used presumably rest borrower, intrastate. Such license And, accordingly, 'licensed comply procedure handguns. Now, analysis is, small omission. Surely bulk criminally irresponsible purchasers pistols revolvers buy secondhand, many pawnshops. seen virtual arsenals displayed windows major cities country. effectively regulated touched operations utter hypocrisy.' 13222 Memorandum Dodd. 13320. further comparison: '[I]t purchase occasions known background client. Amendment 708, licensed. They affidavit criminals. hand, licensed—because manufacturers receive, transport commerce—and sanction ask you, effective?' 13223. conceded remarks refer 'selling' do credit significant determining plain prohibits 'selling intimated pawnbroker, language, 4-5. References debate, moreover, replete shorthand instance use. colloquy of,' receptive proffered note President Pawnbrokers' Association City York hearings almost redemption, contended, 1062-1065 faced 'dealers,' chose retain dealers. 'all dispositions.' admonition 349, 523, (1971), '[i]n traditionally sensitive areas, affecting balance, requirement assures faced, bring issue, critical matters decision.' balance intentionally. explained: 'This State's right laws. Quite worth paper on. Without assistance, subverted child, orders buys laws.' Civil cited Court, e. g. 74-75, 208, wide mark. sends prison there, 346, 521-522, another device lacking due process Caligula's practice printing print placing wall ordinary man warning. 'When taxes kind proclaimed, published writing, inasmuch offenses ignorance letter last, urgent demand people, posted up, excessively letters, copy.' Suetonius, Lives Twelve Caesars 192 (Modern Lib. ed. 1931).

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