Muscarello v. United States
United States Supreme Court
524 U.S. 125, 118 S.Ct. 1911, 141 L.Ed.2d 111 (1998)

- Written by Sara Rhee, JD
Facts
Congress enacted a federal law criminalizing the conduct of one who “uses or carries a firearm” while trafficking drugs. Muscarello (defendant) was convicted of carrying a firearm in the locked glove compartment of his vehicle while involved in a drug trafficking crime. The court of appeals affirmed. Muscarello challenged the lower court’s interpretation of the law, arguing that the term “carries a firearm” applies only to a person who actually possesses a firearm on his person and not to one who possesses a firearm in his vehicle. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari and consolidated a similar case.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Breyer, J.)
Dissent (Ginsburg, J.)
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