Document: 435 U.S. 6 98 S.Ct. 909 55 L.Ed.2d 70 Michael Lee SIMPSON and Tommy Wayne Simpson, Petitioners,v.UNITED STATES. SIMPSON, Petitioner, v. UNITED Nos. 76-5761 76-5796. Argued Nov. 1, 1977. Decided Feb. 28, 1978. Syllabus The punishment for bank robbery under 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) may be enhanced 2113(d) when the is committed "by use of a dangerous weapon or device." Title 924(c) provides that whoever "uses firearm to commit any felony which he prosecuted in court United States," shall subject penalty addition rovided commission such felony. Petitioners were convicted two separate aggravated robberies using firearms robberies, violation §§ (d) 924(c), sentenced consecutive terms imprisonment on counts, District Court rejecting their contention imposition cumulative penalties crimes was impermissible because charges merged with offenses purposes sentencing. Appeals affirmed. Held: In prosecution growing out single transaction firearms, defendant not both 924(c). This construction those provisions supported only by 924(c)'s legislative history but also established rules statutory "ambiguity concerning ambit criminal statutes should resolved favor lenity," States Bass, 404 336, 347, 92 515, 522, 30 488; Rewis States, 401 808, 812, 91 1056, 1059, 28 493, precedence given more specific statute where general speak same concern, even if provision enacted later. Pp. 10-16. 542 F.2d 1177, reversed remanded. Robert W. Willmott, Jr., Lexington, Ky., petitioners. H. Bartow Farr, III, respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 fine than $5,000 20 years, both, 2113(a), $10,000 25 device," 2113(d).1 Another statute, . shall, provided felony, term less one year nor ten years," "[i]n case his second subsequent conviction this subsection," 2 years; "nor imposed subsection run concurrently felony."2 firearms. question decision whether construed as intended Congress authorize, increased 2113(d), an additional * On September 8, 1975, petitioners, handguns intimidate bank's employees, robbed some $40,000 from East End Branch Commercial Bank Middlesboro, Ky. App. 20. Less months later, November 4, petitioners returned Middlesboro time, again handguns, West about amount. 3 received jury trial each robbery. After first robbery, they (d), They years' count 10 count. crime 924(c); 25-year sentence 10-year count, sentences consecutively other previously imposed. 4 During sentencing proceedings following conviction, counsel argued charge offense disagreed, holding "the indicat[e] intention [by 924(c)] impose punishment." 17. Sixth Circuit affirmed without published opinion, 1177 (1976). We granted certiorari, 430 964, 97 1643, 52 355 (1977), resolve apparent conflict between below Eighth Eagle, 539 1166 (1976).3 reverse. II 5 Quite clearly, are addressed concern designed combat problem: weapons—most particularly firearms—to federal felonies.4 Although we agree creates distinct underlying Ramirez, 482 807 (CA2 1973); Sudduth, 457 1198 (CA1 1972), believe th beginning end analysis necessary answer presented decision. Blockburger 284 299, 180, 76 L.Ed. 306 (1932), set test determining "whether sufficiently distinguishable permit Brown Ohio, 432 161, 166, 2221, 2225, 53 187 (1977). held "[t]he applicable rule act constitutes provisions, applied determine there one, requires proof fact does not." supra, at 304, 182. See S.Ct., 2225; Iannelli 420 770, 95 1284, 43 616 (1975); Gore 357 386, 78 1280, 1405 (1958). has its primary relevance double jeopardy context, it guide separately defined constitute "same offense" purposes. supra.5 7 Cases Government able prove violations precisely factual showing, here, raise prospect possible need evaluate light test. That test, argues, satisfied litigation.6 reach issue. Before examination made punishments ar constitutionally permissible, necessary, our practice avoiding constitutional decisions possible, multiple engaged. Jeffers 137, 155, 2207, 2218, 168 Indeed, concedes "there remains least possibility Congress, although free like present otherwise disclosed do so." Brief 11. several tools "in one"—where relied proofs support convictions statutes—require conclusion cannot said have authorized already 2113(d). Cf. supra. III 8 First provision, part Gun Control Act 1968, included original bill, offered amendment House floor Representative Poff. 114 Cong.Rec. 22231 (1968).7 statement immediately introduction amendment, Poff observed: 9 "For sake history, noted my substitute apply title 18, sections 111, 112, 113 define assaulting officials, 2113 2114 armed mail banks, section 2231 assaults upon process servers chapter 44 defines felonies." Id., 22232. clearly probative judgment purpose served whenever substantive weapon.8 these remarks course dispositive issue reach, certainly entitled weight, coming provision's sponsor. especially so Poff's explanation scope complete accord with, gives full play to, deterrence rationale F.2d, 1172. Subsequent events Senate Conference Committee pertaining buttress Congress' view proper expressed Shortly after adopted passed Act, introduced Senator Dominick, used offense. 27142 (1968). According sponsor, contrary would permitted crime, allowance augmented used. 27143. A Committee, minor changes,9 subsequently version preference Dominick amendment. H.R.Conf.Rep.No.1956, 90th Cong., 2d Sess., 31-32 (1968), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News pp. 4410, 4426. 11 Second, construe allow pyramided violate lenity." 488 (1971); 493 (1971). Adamo Wrecking Co. 434 275, 284-285, 566, 572-573, 54 538 (1978). sparse, yet what is—particularly rejection amendment—points direction congressional unavailable prosecutions Even relevant nearly favorable this, steadfastly insisted hat "doubt will against turning into offenses." Bell 349 81, 84, 75 620, 622, 99 905 (1955); Ladner 358 169, 79 209, 199 Prince 352 322, 77 403, 370 (1957). As Ladner: "This policy lenity means interpret increase places individual interpretation can based no guess intended." U.S., 178, 214. If something "more guess" case, commentary Committee's amendment—is incremental knowledge redounds petitioners' benefit, Government's. 12 Finally, result principle Preiser Rodriguez, 411 475, 489-490, 93 1827, 1836, 36 439 (1973). 2A C. Sands, Sutherland, Statutory Construction 51.05 (4th ed. 1973). special cogency called extent transgressions. corollary lenity, outgrowth reluctance multiply absent clear definite directive. insensitive concerns respecting availability 1971, Department found interpretive over itself sufficient reason advise all Attorneys prosecute 924(c)(1) charged violating "provid[ed] offense." 19 Attys. Bull. 63 (U.S. Dept. Justice, 1971). 13 Obviously, since changed relationship think better understanding interaction statutes. Accordingly, hold cases therefore remanded consistent opinion. 14 It ordered. 15 REHNQUIST, dissenting. 16 I am unable Court's litigation being could pursuant uses "shall, years." plain language involved confers authority chooses avoid meaning resort canon disagrees, "our possible," ante, 12. then relies Representatives Congressman Poff, who sponsored became effect governed 2113. But neither proffered rationales justifies today. 17 purports follow canons, enable perform function. Shapiro 335 31, 68 1375, 1391, 1787 (1948): "The avoidance doubts must, 'plain meaning' rule, give way application produce futile result, unreasonable 'plainly variance legislation whole.' " While well language, American Trucking Assns., 310 534, 543, 60 1063, 84 1345 (1940), types substantially reliable others. report joint conference committee Houses example, committee, accorded good deal weight sponsor particular portion bill chamber. See, e. g., Chandler Roudebush, 425 840, 858, n. 36, 96 1949, 1958 48 416 (1976); Automobile Workers, 567, 585-586, 529, 538, 563 matter common time during debate, prolonged members either attendance great, members, later read Congressional Record, benefit remarks. last analysis, embodied enrolled enacts, must reference point interpreting meaning. disregard inappropriate circumstances June gauzy nature apparently underlie written. Several different bills dealing control, had been bottled up various stages prior brought dramatic swiftness assassination F. Kennedy early month. Kennedy's assassination, three similar killing Reverend Martin Luther King, obviously focused attention problem control. seems me permissible irresistible, reading statutes, conclude authorize enhancement virtue 21 expresses however, problems raised (1932). Blockburger, course, Double Jeopardy Clause Constitution, simply principles (1977); To offense, is, raising "Blockburger test" metaphysics, rather law. 22 decided Term, majority's position. e tirely act, stealing automobile admittedly lesser operating vehicle owner's consent. And recognized that: 23 "[The] guarantee serves principally restraint courts prosecutors. legislature fix punishments; once acted prosecutors ordinarily attempt secure trial." 165, 2225. (footnote omitted). 24 tried guilty imposing them believed Certainly Fifth Amendment, prohibits person twice put life limb, slightest sort prosecution. overly refined suggests prohibition encompasses trial, concludes providing order highly theoretical problem, does. together surrounding enactment, makes abundantly circumstances. overcome read, constitutional. dissent. provide: "(a) Whoever, force violence, intimidation, takes, attempts take, presence another property money thing value belonging care, custody, management, possession of, bank, credit union, savings loan association; "Whoever enters enter association, building whole intent building, thereof, used, affecting association larceny— "Shall fined imprisoned twenty both. "(d) committing, attempting commit, subsections (a) (b) section, person, puts device, twenty-five both." text provides: "(c) Whoever— "(1) "(2) carries unlawfully years. subsection, years and, notwithstanding law, suspend him probationary sentence, felony." agreement Fourth Circuit, Crew, 575 (1976), Perkins 526 688 Both Reports 1934 Robbers state directed rash "gangsterism" roving bandits Southwest Northwest rob banks elude capture authorities crossing lines. S.Rep.No.537, 73d (1934); H.R.Rep.No.1461, (1934). vast majority undoubtedly accomplished guns sorts. originally proposed, covered "dangerous weapons." "or device" added response conduct robber walked bottle nitroglycerin threatened blow unless demands met. Cong.Reg. 8132-8133 Thus, covers weapons devices evil deter. hand, overriding increasing felonies, broader. imposes "firearm" carried 921(a)(3)(D) include "any destructive "destructive turn, 921(a)(4)(A) explosive, incendiary, poison gas—(i) bomb, (ii) grenade, (iii) rocket ., (iv) missile (v) mine, (vi) device described preceding clauses." Melville, 309 F.Supp. 774 (SDNY 1970). "protects offense," North Carolina Pearce, 395 711, 717, 89 2072, 2076, 656 (1969), 150-151, 2216, demonstrate punishable reads phrase modify word "assaults" "puts person." 9-10. lower divided Those 577. supra; Waters, 461 248 (CA10 1972). Other disjunctively, modifies person" "assaults." Beasley, 438 1279 (CA6 1971); Rizzo, 409 400 (CA7 1969). Coulter, 474 1004 (CA9 never authoritatively implicitly gloss Government. 329 11, 407, now expressly adopt statute. Judge McCree observed Beasley : "[The 2113(d)] elements 2113(a). Subsection punishes take 'from custody .' taking done 'by intimidation.' Force violence traditional assault, assault five ". lawful enactment aggravating device' regardless punctuation, modifying putting provision." 1283-1284 (concurring dissenting part). Because day floor, hearings reports. provide maximum "deadly weapon" 113(c) enhance available employs weapon." prohibitions suspended probation convictions, restrictions concurrent eliminated. Omnibus Crime 1970, Stat. 1889, amended reimposing restriction reduced minimum mandatory repeat offenders

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