Document: 508 U.S. 223 113 S.Ct. 2050 124 L.Ed.2d 138 John Angus SMITH, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 91-8674. Argued March 23, 1993. Decided June 1, Rehearing Denied Aug. 9, Syllabus *** After petitioner Smith offered to trade an automatic weapon undercover officer for cocaine, he was charged with numerous firearm and drug trafficking offenses. Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1) requires the imposition of specified penalties if defendant, "during in relation . [a] crime[,] uses a firearm." In affirming Smith's conviction sentence, Court Appeals held that 924(c)(1)'s plain language imposes no requirement be "use[d]" as weapon, but applies any use gun facilitates manner commission offense. Held: A criminal who trades his drugs "uses" it crime" within meaning 924(c)(1). Pp. ____. (a) Section 924's structure establish exchanging may constitute "use" meaning. handling falls squarely everyday dictionary definitions "use." Had Congress intended require proof defendant not only used specific manner—as —it could have so indicated statute. However, did not. The fact most familiar example "us[ing] firearm" is does mean phrase excludes all other ways which might used. United States Sentencing Guidelines, even were assume their relevance present context, do support dissent's narrow interpretation "to use" can its purposes, such firing brandishing, since Guidelines Manual 2B3.1(b)(2) explicitly contemplates "othe[r] use[s]" are limited purposes identified by dissent. approach, moreover, would exclude pistol-whip victim purpose fired or brandished, bludgeon. addition, affirmatively demonstrated meant include transactions like employing similar 924(d)(1), subjects forfeiture "firearm used" various listed Many offenses involve "using" item barter commerce. Thus, 924(c)(1), originally enacted, applied during crimes violence, clear from face statute presently broad enough cover trade. (b) to" crime. not, cannot, deny alleged occurred "during" And there little doubt "in That has "with reference "as regards" and, at minimum, clarifies must some effect respect presence involvement cannot result accident coincidence, least facilitate facilitating Here, integral part transaction, been possible without it. There reason why wanted this situation, introduction guns into dramatically heightens danger society, whether medium exchange protection dealers. (c) invocation rule lenity rejected. Imposing narrower construction than one herein adopted violence statute's structure, also addressing heightened risk death accompanies firearms 957 F.2d 835 (CA11 1992), affirmed. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., WHITE, BLACKMUN, KENNEDY, THOMAS, JJ., joined. filed concurring opinion. SCALIA, dissenting opinion, STEVENS SOUTER, Gary Kollin, Fort Lauderdale, FL, petitioner. Thomas G. Hungar, Washington, DC, respondent. Justice O'CONNOR Court. 1 We decide today narcotics constitutes hold does. 2 * Petitioner companion went Tennessee Florida buy cocaine; they hoped resell profit. While Florida, met petitioner's acquaintance, Deborah Hoag. Hoag agreed to, did, purchase cocaine She then accompanied friend her motel room, where joined dealer. listened, dealer discussed MAC-10 firearm, had modified operate automatic. apparently favorite among criminals. It small compact, lightweight, equipped silencer. Most important all, devastating: fully fire more 1,000 rounds per minute. expressed interest becoming owner MAC-10, promised discuss selling arrangement another potential buyer fell through. 3 Unfortunately petitioner, contacts traffickers law enforcement officials. fact, she confidential informant. Consistent post, informed Broward County Sheriff's Office activities. responded quickly, sending Hoag's room. Several others assigned keep under surveillance. Upon arriving presented himself pawnshop Petitioner, turn, proposition: He silencer willing part. pulled out black canvas bag showed officer. examined asked what Rather asking money, however, drugs. said, two ounces cocaine. told just distribute narcotics. Nonetheless, try get left, promising return hour. 4 seeking promised, returned arrange arrest. But content wait. officers conducting surveillance saw him leave room carrying bag; climbed van drove away. reported departure began following him. When authorities tried stop led them on high-speed chase. eventually apprehended. 5 turns out, well armed. search revealed silencer, ammunition, "fast-feed" mechanism. police found MAC-11 machine gun, loaded .45 caliber pistol, .22 pistol scope homemade 9 millimeter handgun waistband. 6 grand jury sitting District Southern indictment charging with, offenses, crimes—conspiracy possess intent attempt violation 21 §§ 841(a)(1), 846, 2. App. 3-9. here, knowingly Id., 4-5. Under sentenced five years' incarceration. where, "machinegun" fitted sentence 30 years. See ("if machinegun, silencer," "thirty years"); 921(a)(23), 26 5845(b) (term includes weapons). convicted counts. 7 On appeal, argued penalty using offense covers situations weapon. According provision extend defendants solely barter. Eleventh Circuit disagreed. (1992). statute, court explained, Instead, "the offense" suffices. 837 (internal quotation marks omitted). 8 Shortly before decided case, Columbia arrived same conclusion. v. Harris, 294 U.S.App.D.C. 300, 315-316, 959 246, 261-262 (per curiam), cert. denied, 506 ----, 362, --- ---- Phelps, 877 28 (1989), Ninth trading drug-related transaction granted certiorari resolve conflict circuits. 53, 121 23 now affirm. II crime carries By terms, prosecution make showings. First, demonstrate "use[d] carrie[d] Second, prove "crime crime." A. 10 argues points nothing record indicates threatened anyone it, employed self-protection. essence, said unless how often F.2d, (firearm protecting emboldening defendant). Of course, those cases used; equal force whenever "carrie[d]." MAC-10. 4. Accordingly, we consider evidence conclusion carried Instead confine our discussion parties view dispositive issue case: 11 word defined normally construe accord ordinary natural Perrin States, 444 37, 42, 100 311, 314, 62 199 (1979) (words should given common meaning). Accord, ____ ("In statutory meaning, give nontechnical words phrases meaning"). Surely treatment described every day term. "used" obtain offering Webster's defines "[t]o convert one's service" employ." New International Dictionary English Language 2806 (2d ed. 1949). Black's Law contains definition: of; service; employ; avail oneself utilize; carry action means of." 1541 (6th 1990). Indeed, over years ago gave gloss, indicating " 'to employ' derive service from.' Astor Merritt, 111 202, 213, 413, 419, L.Ed. 401 (1884). Petitioner's case definitions. attempting drugs, "employed" "derived because going bring very sought. 12 view, weapon" appear nowhere Rather, sweeps broadly, punishing "us[e]" long Long, 284 405, 409-410, 905 1572, 1576-1577 (Thomas, J.) (although limits, "expansive" extends actively employed), 498 948, 365, 112 328 (1990). urges, indicated. decline introduce additional own. 13 Language, interpreted apart context. appears ambiguous viewed isolation become when analyzed light terms surround Recognizing this, dissent argue somewhat reduced alongside "firearm." Specifically, contend average person street think immediately guns-for-drugs evokes image put—use therefore otherwise destructive capacity. relying argument—and citation authority—the announces own, restrictive definition "To instrumentality," argues, "ordinarily purpose." Post, 14 significant flaw argument. thing say "uses comes mind. quite conclude that, result, use. Certainly follow itself. As experience clear, number ways. first come mind uttered preclude us recognizing qualify well. both reasonable normal otherwise. 15 cane, ____, suffers flaw. To sure, adornment hallway cane certainly put assisting grandfather walking. Quite opposite: infamous American history walking see J. McPherson, Battle Cry Freedom 150 (1988) (describing caning Senator Sumner Senate 1856); instrument punishment once cane" verb beat cane." supra, 390. event, question reasonably read excluding gun-for-drugs clearly shoot someone, contends, answer 16 relies authority, Commission, (Nov. "reflect[ing]" define "using assumes firing, displaying, possessing. entertain moment dubious assumption relevant opposite view. 2B3.1(b)(2), upon relies, provides increases defendant's level, involved firearm. extent adjustment varies according nature gun's involvement. seven-point upward "was discharged," 2B3.1(b)(2)(A); six-point enhancement "otherwise used," 2B3.1(b)(2)(B) (emphasis added); five-point displayed, possessed, 2B3.1(b)(2)(C). Unless mere surplusage, "intended purposes" brandishing nonetheless. n. suggests limited. contrary, perfectly including uses, bludgeoning, firearm's 17 true commentary '[o]therwise used' conduct short 'discharg[ing] [is] possessing [it].' (quoting USSG 1B1.1, comment., 1(g)). definition, simply reflects peculiar hierarchy culpability established 2B3.1(b)(2). between culpable discharging less actions "brandishing, possessing," lies category impose intermediate punishment. trading, beyond persuaded will produce anomalous applications. (example scratch head). already noted, explain greater detail later, infra, - head, innocuous purpose, avoid altogether: Although scratching head "use," furthers crime; served relieve itch enough. (phrase requires, crime). Such escape provided "[o]therwise use[d]" makes 1(g), apply "more than" brandishing. pistol-whipping 19 purpose" offensive whatever, rather particular fashion—by contention weapon," threaten gun." then, pistol-whips bludgeons. similarly limit covered 2B3.1(b)(2)(B). universal courts appeals, directly contrary. No appeals ever anything firearm; nor being thereof. cf. (holding offense). 20 uncertainty about believe remainder 924 appropriately sets rest. Just single isolation, recognized: "Statutory holistic endeavor. seem clarified scheme—because terminology elsewhere context permissible meanings produces substantive compatible rest law." Savings Assn. Texas Timbers Inwood Forest Associates, Ltd., 484 371, 108 626, 630, 98 740 (citations 22 "firearm" together deals firearms. One Assortment 89 Firearms, 465 354, 104 1099, 79 361 (1984) (discussing earlier version statute). ammunition 924(d)(3) subject seizure forfeiture. interpretation, lists weapons. 924(d)(3)(A), (B) (weapons instead For example, interstate "transfer, s[ale], trade, gi[ft], transport, deliver[y]" prohibited 922(a)(5) pattern activity, 924(d)(3)(C), federal involving exportation firearms," 924(d)(3)(F), none four six subsections involves bellicose each commerce.* transports, exports, sells, 924(d)(1)—even though different 924(d)—and Assn., U.S., S.Ct., 630 reject interpretation. evident care chose 924(d)(1) reinforces regard. firearm-related render forfeiture, lump activity. carefully varied accordance guns' crimes, "involved in" 924(d)(1). Examination reveals believed necessary expansive 922(a)(6), making false statement material lawfulness transfer. Because misstatement order acquire sell broadest expanded language. made because, offense, Congress, expand many function items commerce position disagree. 24 "strange dichotomy" "carrying" one. so. too "carry" keeping intends self-defense. dichotomy arises, tries "for whatever." Ibid. sufficient recognize firearm," encompassing 25 Finally, dealt violence; concerning added later. From infers weapon." current form employs term broadly unimportant, addition 'drug crime' way meaning." Even passed original 924(c) 1968, amended 1986 expansively, covering admits, barter, examination 924(d) demonstrates. usage commerce, free employ that. B Using required Nor he. conspired distribute. 3-4. proposed furtherance conspiracy. contended occur "attempt" charged, id., 4; inducement convince provide 27 dispute expansive, Greater Washington Board Trade, 580, 583, 513 (1992) (the "relate "deliberately expansive" omitted)), construing recognized, ("[t]he 'in to' broad"); U.S.App.D.C., 315, 261 curiam ) "facilitate[s] predicate way"). illuminate boundaries. Webster's, regards." 2102. thus, coincidence. observed, "allay[s] concern be" punished committing "while possession coincidental entirely "unrelated" Stewart, 779 538, 539 (CA9 1985) (Kennedy, J.). "facilitat[e], ha[ve] facilitating," 540. Ocampo, 890 1363, 1371-1372 (CA7 1989); 837. need determine precise contours meets MAC-10's product happenstance. "[f]ar [in] case" merely providing intimidation, here transaction." 895 1281, 1283 1990) (Kozinski, denial rehearing en banc). Without deal possible. posing expressly business track down 29 Relying decision Phelps legislative record, insists relationship type connection contemplated drafted With argument, agree Circuit's observation: "It [§ ]924(c), obvious crime, [of statute] limited[;] imagine wished situation. Whether sold illegally protect dealers, scene society." 316, 262. 31 look further pages Federal Reporter verify truth observation. arranged chemicals methamphetamine. capabilities stopped traffic violation, "[t]he MAC 10, suddenly transmogrified [from commerce] still [the defendant's] possession[.] [He] opened shot deputy sheriff." 1288, C 32 invoke lenity. possibility articulating construction, itself applicable. venerable reserved "[a]fter 'seiz[ing] aid derived,' "left statute." Bass, 404 336, 347, 92 515, 522, 488 (1971) Fisher, Cranch 358, 386, 304 (1805)). Moskal 103, 108, 461, 465, 449 This case. Not fall 924(d). 33 reading enacted aware dangerous combination. 1989, 56 percent murders York City related; period, figure Nation's Capital high 80 percent. Enterprise (Jan.-Feb. 1991). treated momentarily inert deprive demonstrates, converted instantaneously currency cannon. juries applying draw fine metaphysical distinction role barter; creates grave either 34 observed "cannot dictate implausible odds generally accepted contemporary term." Taylor 495 575, 596, 110 2143, 2157, 109 607 observation controls Both occurs offense; sense all; create dangers risks address. precisely manner, proposing properly subjected 30-year mandatory minimum sentence. judgment Appeals, accordingly, 35 ordered. 36 concurring. 37 I join Court's full understand Part IIB foreclose facilitation drug-trafficking phrase, unnecessary ante, djQ whom SOUTER join, dissenting. 38 mandates begins analysis focusing passage, explaining broad. is, "fundamental principle (and, indeed, itself) determined drawn used." Deal 1993, 1996, 44 (1993). particularly elastic whose range partake of" (as "he tobacco") wont accustomed" smoke tobacco"). 1939). 39 Chapman 500 1919, 1925, 114 524 (1991); (1979); Minor Mechanics Bank Alexandria, Pet. 46, 64, 47 (1828). instrumentality ordinarily purpose. someone asks "Do you cane?" inquiring your grandfather's silver-handled walking-stick display hall; wants know walk cane. Similarly, speak distinctive i.e., "one ways," article exchange, hall decoration—but other.1 grasp would, "both 'used' cocaine." head. wishes describe unusual assuredly select. says embraces extraordinary employments. unquestionably normal, think, "do firearms" prohibit them. 40 reflected, enhanced sentences "discharged," "brandished, possessed," See, e.g., 1992). latter term, say: 'Otherwise (including firearm) amount discharge 1(g) (definitions). "Otherwise obviously weapon."2 41 Given governs, seems me inconsequential 'as weapon' statute," ____; implicit. "additional requirement" text, text import. 42 seeks referring next subsection 924(d), confiscation "used referenced transferring, selling, transporting concludes nonweapon agree. dealing technical "artfully defined" legal compare Dewsnup Timm, 502 773, 780-781, 116 903 (SCALIA, dissenting), are, suggested, inordinately sensitive adding direct object "a narrows (it longer "partake of"), modifier "use expands includes, previously use). neither narrowing expansion logically thought appearances affected phrase. appearance acquires connotation broader unlawful sale firearms." When, prohibition certain "shall loan rental temporary lawful sporting purposes," 922(a)(5)(B), (b)(3)(B), referred pawning pay ski trip. Likewise when, necessarily envisions commodity, understood prevail. 43 Another consideration leads conclusion: increased "carries" circumstances. eminently weapon) "carrying (which ready weapon). contrast, strange whatever , barter," firearm."3 although brought portion pertaining crime," affiliated pre-existing violence," firearm-trafficking 922 violence" unmistakable import over, my subsequently "or both, surely "drug (beyond weapon") violence. 45 reader do, acknowledge, debatable—and enough, lenity, finding here. "At least, doubt. these circumstances, adhere 'where ambiguity doubts resolved favor defendant.' Adamo Wrecking Co. 434 275, 284-285, 566, 572-573, 54 538 (1978), quoting 348, 523, (1971).4 46 foregoing reasons, respectfully syllabus prepared Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 U .S. 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499 924(d)(3)(C) offenses: unlicensed manufacture firearms, 922(a)(1); receipt outside State, 922(a)(3); transfer resident 922(a)(5); delivery licensed entity State licensee's, 922(b)(3). 924(d)(3)(D) mentions disqualified persons, fugitives justice felons, 922(d). 924(d)(3)(E), shipping stolen 922(i); 922(j); importation 922(l ); shipment felon, 922(n); commit felony, 924(b). 924(d)(3)(F) prosecuted asserts "significant flaw" argument 'uses firearm' saying "also use." Ante, (emphases original). indeed different—but assert true: obvious, objective falsity perjury satisfied witness answered "no" prosecutor's inquiry Enfield rifle collector. "not [its] applications." fortuitously language—the crime"—that happens prevent untoward results. results: Though burglar scratches barrel handle, rock, break window affording entrance—hardly ought sentencing difference excuse good "anomalous applications" contexts—for text. vain show preferred firearm"), "culpable" whence convenient limitation? text—as whole take hands individual judges determinations culpable" "less culpable." firing. confident "scratching head" agree—but "more" Reading written (rather importing deus ex machina scale), interpreting fashion does, produces, storekeeper robbery; pointing Guidelines' "brandished," 1(c)); pry open cash register prop door. ridiculous. us[ing]" mean, usage, weapon—for placing mouth intimidate responds abandoning pretense giving much problem, says, contending purpose," trade." Unfortunately, options mother-tongue available. "Uses ("uses purpose") weapon"); possibly contends frustrate "can cannon," Stretching write effective devised exercise indulge in. ability hand perhaps reasons sanctions Government indict provision.

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