Document: 406 U.S. 311 92 S.Ct. 1593 32 L.Ed.2d 87 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Loarn Anthony BISWELL. No. 71-81. Argued March 28, 1972. Decided May 15, Syllabus Warrantless search of locked storeroom during business hours as part inspection procedure authorized by § 923(g) the Gun Control Act 1968, which resulted in seizure unlicensed firearms from a dealer federally licensed to deal sporting weapons held not violative Fourth Amendment. Pp. 311—317. 442 F.2d 1189, reversed and remanded. A. Kent Greenawalt for petitioner. Warren F. Reynolds, Hobbs, N.M., respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 The 82 Stat. 1213, 18 U.S.C. 921 et seq., authorizes official entry into 'the premises (including places storage) any or ammunition . purpose inspecting examining (1) records documents required be kept (2) stored such at premises.'1 923(g). Respondent, pawn shop operator who was weapons, visited one afternoon city policeman Federal Treasury agent identified himself, inspected respondent's books, requested gun storeroom. Respondent asked whether had warrant, investigator told him that he did not, but inspections. given copy section read replied, 'Well, that's what it says so I guess it's okay.' unlocked storeroom, found seized two sawed-off rifles respondent possess. He indicted convicted dealing without having paid special occupational tax.2 Court Appeals reversed, however, holding unconstitutional under Amendment because warrantless searches ostensible consent invalid Bumper v. North Carolina, 391 543, 88 1788, 20 797 (1968). concluded rifles, been illegally seized, were inadmissible evidence. 1189 (CA10 1971). We granted certiorari, 404 983, 445, 30 366 (1971), now reverse judgment Appeals. 2 As correctly recognized, we no occasion See City Seattle, 387 541, 1737, 943 (1967), consider reach with respect various federal regulatory statutes. In Colonnade Catering Corp. United States, 397 72, 90 774, 25 60 (1970), dealt statutory authorization inspections dealers alcoholic beverages. There, inspectors, warrant owner's permission, forcibly entered illegal liquor. Emphasizing historically broad authority Government regulate liquor industry approval similar laws this kind Boyd 116 616, 6 524, 29 L.Ed. 746 (1886),3 Congress ample power 'to design powers deems necessary meet evils hand.' U.S., 76, S.Ct., 777. found, expressly provided forcible absence instead agents remedy making criminal offense refuse admission inspectors 26 7342. 3 Here, accompanied unauthorized force, if target dealer, is clear would bar illicit When officers inspect they merely asserting their right, on notice identity legal basis action. Respondent's submission lawful his decision step aside permit rather than face prosecution4 analogous householder's acquiescence pursuant when alternative possible prosecution refusing entry. neither case does lawfulness depend consent; both, there independent will householder might, other things being equal, prefer all. context, (1968), inapposite, since police relied never shown valid; demand authority, acquiscence an involuntary consent. context system carefully limited time, place, scope, legality depends valid statute. 4 think like result present case, involves aimed firearms. regulation interstate traffic deeply rooted history governmental control industry, close scrutiny undeniably central importance efforts prevent violent crime assist States regulating within borders. Congressional Findings Declaration, Note preceding 922. Large interests are stake, crucial scheme, assures distributed through regular channels traceable manner makes prevention sales undesirable customers detection origin particular 5 It also apparent law properly enforced made effective, must deemed reasonable conduct mission discover correct violations building code, conditions relatively difficult conceal short time. Periodic sufficed, warrants could privacy measure protection little threat effectiveness issue. refrained questioning 923 Act. effective serve credible deterrent, unannounced, even frequent, essential. prerequisite easily frustrate inspection; flexibility frequency preserved, protections afforded negligible. plain compliance pose only threats dealer's justifiable expectations privacy. chooses engage pervasively regulated accept license, knowledge records, firearms, subject inspection. Each licensee annually furnished revised compilation ordinances describe obligations define inspector's authority. 921(a)(19). left wonder about purposes inspector limits task. 7 have difficulty concluding where, here, further urgent interest, possibilities abuse impressive dimensions, may proceed where specifically unreasonable Amendment, remanded court proceedings consistent opinion. So ordered. 8 Judgment 9 BLACKMUN, concurring result. 10 Had member decided, joined respective dissenting opinions Black Chief Justice, 79 77, 778 therefore concur here. 11 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 12 Clark, writing three-judge panel Tenth Circuit said, Act, 923(g), has provision 'almost identical' 60. provides: 13 'The Secretary enter .' provided: 14 delegate chapter ..' 5146(b). 15 legitimates scheme its belief that, here undertaken principles Colonnade. respectfully disagree. Colonnade, course, rested heavily unique historical origins And admits 'is industry.' Yet, assuming, arguendo, appropriate pervasive errs. 16 agreed 'Congress But said: 17 'Where rules governing follow, restrictive apply.' Id., statute authorizing virtually identical considered conclusion necessarily follows Congress, 'selected standard include entries warrant.' Ibid. 19 my view, conducted over objection owner sought searched 'forcible,' means used effect search. withdrew upon inspection, saying: 'If law, all right.' If apply test 'consent' 797, affirm judgment,* Stewart, speaking Bumper, 'When prosecutor seeks rely justify search, burden proving was, fact, freely voluntarily given. This cannot discharged showing more claim A reliance later justified turns out invalid. can different State attempt validity fails show 21 enforcement officer claims home announces occupant right resist situation instinct coercion—albeit colorably coercion. Where coercion consent.' 548 550, 1792. 22 below. 'Each importer, manufacturer, collector shall maintain importation, production, shipment, receipt, sale, disposition, period, form (of Treasury) regulations prescribe. Such importers, manufacturers, dealers, collectors make available times, submit reports information contents thereof provisions issued chapter, premises. Upon request political subdivision thereof, obtain reason identification persons purchased received ammunition, together description ammunition.' sell certain defined 921. fell 5845's technical definition 'firearms,' every 5801 pay tax $200 year. registered National Firearms Registration Transfer Record. 5841. six counts. Count I, convicted, charged 'wilfully knowingly engaged 5845 'occupational) business.' Counts II—V, acquitted, possessed serial number, 5842, Record, VI, failing 923, severed awaiting trial. stolen goods common law; forfeited breach revenue laws, concealed avoid duties payable them, English statutes least centuries past; seizures our own acts commencement government. first passed collection duties, act July 31, 1789, 29, 43, contains effect. same proposed adoption original amendments Constitution, members body regard 'unreasonable,' embraced prohibition amendment. (I)n excisable dutiable articles, government interest them payment thereon, until keep observation, pursue drag concealment.' 623 624, 528 (footnote omitted). violate 924. * majority concludes 'inapposite' case. holds otherwise legitimated occupant's officer's assertion already irrelevant

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