Court Opinion

ID: 9490246
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 13:37:17.573043+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:53:58.498231
License: Public Domain

RYMER, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I concur in the judgment, but I do not agree that an evidentiary hearing is required, or that the cross-reference from U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(5) to § 2K2.1(c)(l)(A) must not be made.
Section 2K2.1(c) says on its face that it applies (requiring reference to the offense level of the drug offense) if the drug offense level is greater than the offense level determined under § 2K2.1(b)(5). It says nothing about a different degree of use or nexus, which the Sentencing Commission easily could have done if it meant to complicate sentencing for drug offenses where firearms are involved. Rather, the guideline means what it says: if the other offense has a lower offense level because, for example, the drugs weren’t as potent or the quantity wasn’t so high, then the firearms offense level trumps, whereas if the other offense has a higher offense level because the quality or quantity of drugs is greater, then the drug offense level prevails. Plainly the point is to punish as much as possible for using or possessing a firearm in connection with any other felony. As the Application Note to U.S.S.G. § 1B1.5 makes clear, there is no magic to the phrase “in connection with”; it simply connotes being “involved” in the offense.1 Because a cross-reference provision requires use of the greatest offense level possible, I would reverse.
While I have no problem leaving the question of “use” to the district court on remand, I would not send it back with baggage. Myers referred to the firearm twice and said it was for security. That’s “use” to me. See, e.g., United States v. Wheelwright, 918 F.2d 226 (1st Cir.1990).

. Application Note 3 to § 1B1.5 states:
A reference may direct that, if the conduct involved another offense, the offense guideline for such other offense is to be applied. Where there is more than one such other offense, the most serious such offense (or group of closely related offenses in the case of offenses that would be grouped together under § 3D1.2(d)) is to be used. For example, if a defendant convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon, to which § 2K2.1 (Unlawful Receipt, Possession, or Transportation of Firearms or Ammunition; Prohibited Transactions Involving Firearms or Ammunition) applies, is found to have possessed that firearm during commission of a series of offenses, the cross reference at § 2K2.1(c) is applied to the offense resulting in the greatest offense level.
U.S.S.G. § 1B1.5 commentary, application note 3.