Document: 423 U.S. 87 96 S.Ct. 316 46 L.Ed.2d 228 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Josephine M. POWELL. No. 74-884. Argued Oct. 6, 1975. Decided Dec. 2, Syllabus Respondent was convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1715, which proscribes mailing pistols, revolvers, and "other firearms capable being concealed on the person," by having sent a 22-inch sawed-off shotgun through mails. There evidence at trial that gun could be an average person. The Court Appeals reversed, holding quoted portion 1715 so vague as to violate due process. In addition constitutional claim respondent contends matter statutory construction, particularly in light ejusdem generis doctrine, does not embrace shotguns. Held : 1. narrow reading statute urged comport with legislative purpose making it more difficult for criminals obtain concealable weapons, rule may used defeat purpose. Here properly instructed jury have found mailed been "firearm person" within meaning 1715. Pp. 90-91. 2. Section intelligibly forbids definite course conduct (mailing firearms) gave adequate warning criminal offense. That Congress might chosen "(c)learer precise language" equally achieving its objective mean is unconstitutionally vague. United States v. Petrillo, 332 1, 7, 67 1538, 1541, 91 L.Ed. 1877. 92-94. 9 Cir., 501 F.2d 1136, reversed. Frank H. Easterbrook, Washington, D. C., petitioner, pro hac vice, special leave Court. Jerry J. Moberg, Moses Lake, Wash., respondent, Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion 1 brief per curiam held Act prohibiting "capable vague, we granted certiorari review this determination. 420 971, 95 1390, 43 651 (1975). guilty violated District Eastern sentenced court term two years' imprisonment. testimony adduced showed Mrs. Theresa Bailey received mail unsolicited package from Spokane, addressed her home Tacoma, Wash. contained shotguns, shells, 20 or 30 hacksaw blades. 2 While source unknown Bailey, receipt unnaturally turned thoughts husband George, inmate nearby McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary. Her husband, however, disclaimed any knowledge contents.1 over federal officials, subsequent investigation disclosed both shotguns had purchased same date. One another unidentified woman. 3 Ten days after first package, telephone call woman who advised second coming but "it mistake." caller give "Sally." When replied she "did address way giving Sally," said would back.2 4 Several later, arrived, unopened investigating agents. return later determined bore respondent's handwriting. This barrel length 10 inches overall 221/8 inches, together boxes shells. 5 indicted single count firearm person (the package), violation 1715.3 At there weapon order verdict must find "knowingly caused person." 6 She appealed judgment conviction Appeals, s proscribing Due Process Clause Fifth Amendment Constitution. 1136 (1974). Citing Lanzetta New Jersey, 306 451, 59 618, 83 888 (1939), that, although clear pistol person, "the prohibition relate readily recognizable persons common experience intelligence." F.2d, 1137. 7 considered only claim, makes argument fairly described alternative basis affirming court. doctrine generis, language simply extend We decide threshold question interpretation first, since if inapplicable will unnecessary reach question, Dandridge Williams, 397 471, 475-476, 90 1153, 1156, 25 491 (1970). 8 thrust general ("firearms") should limited specific ("pistols revolvers") phrase "concealable weapons such pistols revolvers." reject contention. terms bans "firearms justified narrowing supported congressional intent above statute. Gooch States, 297 124, 128, 56 395, 397, 80 522 (1936), said: 11 "The while firmly established, instrumentality ascertaining correct words when uncertainty. Ordinarily, limits follow ones matters similar those specified; obvious legislation. And, penal statutes are narrowly construed, require rejection sense best harmonizes context end view." 12 history particular provision sparse, House report indicates bill upon based avoid Post Office serve local laws prohibited purchase possession weapons. H.R.Rep. 610, 69th Cong., 1st Sess. (1926). It seem even likely than revolvers. A statement author bill, Representative Miller floor make 66 Cong.Rec. 726 (1924). To limit revolvers Cf. Alpers, 338 680, 682, 70 352, 354, 94 457 (1950). 13 therefore hold "(firearm) Having done so, turn Appeals' 14 last Term "(i)t well established vagueness challenges do involve First freedoms examined facts case hand." Mazurie, 419 544, 550, 710, 714, 42 706 dealt generally, rather applied case. necessarily concluded, therefore, against proscribed no comprehensible all. settled, course, constitutionally set facts. U.S., 453, S.Ct., 619; Connally General Const. Co., 269 385, 391, 126, 127, 322 15 An example Cohen Grocery 255 81, 89, 41 298, 300, 65 516 (1921). "willfully . mak(ing) unjust unreasonable rate charge dealing necessaries. ." So worded "forbids act" "leaves open widest conceivable inquiry, scope one can foresee result foreshadow adequately guard against." Ibid. 16 On other hand, provides certain oversized heavy loads transported "shortest practicable route" Sproles Binford, 286 374, 393, 52 581, 587, 76 1167 (1932). carrier has given notice reasonably ascertainable standard mandated; him insure his actions fall outside legal limits. sugar dealer Cohen, contrary, idea advance what "unreasonable rate" because vagaries supply demand, factors he control. Engaged lawful business sought proscribe, charged price confidence unreasonable. 17 But challenged quite different involved Cohen. conduct: firearms. doubts applicability marginal fact situations conceived, think 22-inch-long Even doubtful cases law full instances where man's fate depends estimating rightly, is, subsequently estimates it, some degree." Nash 229 373, 377, 33 780, 781, 57 1232 (1913). questioned whether "person" referred measure capability concealment firearm, receiving or, perhaps, male female, wearing whatever garb appropriate, wherever place season." fair attribute commonsense garbed manner aid, hinder, Such straining inject doubt felt normal reader required "void vagueness" indulge it. 19 also observed "(t)o delimit size (other revolvers) intends declare unmailable certainly impose insurmountable burden .." Had intended declared unmail able, written respects narrower actually wrote. extent proscribe all less inclusive important disagreement observation seriously misconceives doctrine. might, without difficulty, "(c) learer drafted 1877 (1947). 21 Reversed. 22 STEWART, concurring part dissenting part. 23 I agree before us objectively measurable under principles construction. Specifically, applicable here, thus read specifically revolver, revolver. 24 setting unless application intention render meaningless. See 457; Salen, 235 237, 249-251, 35 51, 53, 210; Stever, 222 167, 174-175, 32 145. Application present situation entails neither results. Instead draining statute, construction gives intelligible content. instead defeating Congress, coincides intent. contains persuasive indications apply larger largest Miller, bill's author, made concern "shotgun, rifle, hunting sportsman." 727. As supporter legislation stated: prevent shipment mails." 12041. reference came posed McKeown: "Is anything citizens Oklahoma buying defend themselves these bank-robbing bandits?" Blanton, opponent responded: "That come next. Sometimes revolver necessary shotgun." 729. absence concrete indicia intent, pregnant silence followed Blanton's response surely taken indication 26 vacate remand further proceedings consistent views. Respondent's Travis Powell, Island. testified did know Title pertinent part: "Pistols, nonmailable .. Whoever knowingly deposits delivery, causes according direction thereon pistol, section, shall fined $1,000 imprisoned years, both."

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