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Bryan v. United States
United States Supreme Court
524 U.S. 184 (1998)
- Written by Walter Machniki, JD
Facts
Bryan (defendant) was convicted of “willfully” selling firearms in violation of various federal firearms statutes. Bryan had individuals go purchase firearms for him in Ohio and bring them back to him in New York, where he filed off the serial numbers and sold them. Bryan claimed that he could not be convicted of “willfully” selling the firearms as prohibited by the statute because he did not know of the specific legislation for the federal licensing of firearms dealers. Bryan petitioned the United States Supreme Court to overturn his conviction on this count because he believed he did not “willfully” sell the firearms as required by the statute.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stevens, J.)
Dissent (Scalia, J)
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