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Muscarello v. United States

United States Supreme Court

524 U.S. 125, 118 S.Ct. 1911, 141 L.Ed.2d 111 (1998)

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

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Breyer, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
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Dissent (Ginsburg, J.)

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