Firearms offenses: possession by disqualified persons & other firearms charges

• Author: Timothy E. Zerillo
• Pages: 355-390

FIREARMS

OFFENSES:

9-1

CHAPTER 9

FIREARMS OFFENSES: POSSESSION

BY DISQUALIFIED PERSONS &

OTHER FIREARMS CHARGES

Possession of f‌irearms by disqualif‌ied persons is a growth industry. Prosecutions will continue to rise as

domestic assault convictions rise, and as the def‌initions as to what constitutes domestic crimes continue

to expand. Unlike other areas of the law discussed in this book, if you have a f‌irearms case, there is a

good chance you are in federal court. Federal f‌irearms laws are broad. While the states have their own

f‌irearm statutes, my experience has been that the majority of f‌irearm prosecutions are federal. This may

be due to the fact that there are federal agencies, like the ATF, primarily devoted to gun prosecutions.

We will be looking at federal f‌irearm laws in this chapter.

I. ELEMENTS AND COMMON SCENARIOS

§9:01 Summary of Elements of a Federal Firearms Possession Case

§9:02 Felon in Possession

§9:03 Domestic Violence

§9:04 Domestic Violence for Law Enforcement and Military Clients

§9:05 Consider Rehaif and the Knowledge Requirement

II. STRATEGIES AND TACTICS

A. Has the Government Proven Defendant’s Identity?

§9:10 Domestic Violence Restraining Order

§9:11 Felony and Domestic Assault Convictions

B. Was the Device a Firearm?

§9:20 What Is a Firearm?

§9:21 Antique Firearm Exception

C. Was the Defendant in Possession?

§9:30 Possession May Be Actual or Constructive

§9:31 Actual Possession

§9:32 Constructive Possession

§9:33 Knowing Possession

D. Prior Domestic Assault Convictions

§9:40 Simple Assault Drop Down in Domestic Cases

§9:41 Use of Force and Threatened Use of a Weapon in Misdemeanor Convictions

§9:42 What Constitutes a Crime of Domestic Violence

§9:43 Old Domestic Violence Convictions and Retroactivity

FIREARMS

OFFENSES:

Defending Specif‌ic Crimes 9-2

E. Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

§9:50 Restraining Orders that Result in Disqualif‌ication

§9:51 Not a Lifetime Bar

§9:52 Restraining Orders That Don’t Result in Firearms Possession Prohibition

F. Client on Deferment

§9:60 Can Client Possess Firearms During Deferment Period

§9:61 State Law Determines Time of Conviction

G. Commerce Element

§9:70 Firearm Must Be In or Affecting Interstate Commerce

§9:71 Has the Weapon Ever Crossed State Lines

§9:72 Admissibility of Trace Reports

III. MOTION TO SUPPRESS REGARDING PROMISES OF LENIENCY

A. Overview

§9:80 Common Scenario

§9:81 The Argument

§9:82 FORM 9-10 Motion to Suppress Statements Made after Promises of Leniency

B. Motion to Suppress Hearing: Testimony of Interrogating Off‌icer

§9:90 Goals

§9:91 Knowledge of Defendant’s Background

§9:92 Knowledge of Interrogation Tactics

§9:93 Admission That Defendant Was in Custody

§9:94 Goals of the Interrogation

§9:95 The Deal Offered to the Defendant

§9:96 Miranda Warnings

§9:97 Were Miranda Rights Violated?

§9:98 Off‌icer Reassured Defendant That Deal Was Genuine

§9:99 Extent of Defendant’s Cooperation in Locating Guns

§9:100 Defendant ’s Lack of Knowledge of Withdrawal of Deal

IV. TRIAL

A. Opening Statement

§9:110 My Approach

§9:111 Sample Opening Statement

B. Cross-Examination of ATF Agent

§9:120 Key Points

§9:121 Sample Cross-Examination of ATF Agent

C. Closing Argument

§9:130 My Approach

§9:131 Sample Closing Argument

V. SENTENCING

§9:140 Federal Sentencing Chart

§9:141 Upward Departure for Semiautomatic Firearm

§9:142 Example

§9:143 Reduction for Acceptance of Responsibility

§9:144 Relevant Conduct

§9:145 Downward Adjustment for Collections

§9:146 FORM 9-20 Federal Sentencing Memorandum—Possession of Firearm by Disqualif‌ied Person

VI. OTHER FIREARMS OFFENSES

§9:160 Gun Possession During a Drug Crime

§9:161 The Armed Career Criminal Act

§9:162 Firearms Transfer Offenses

FIREARMS

OFFENSES:

9-3 Firearms Offenses: Possession by Disqualif‌ied Persons & Other Firearms Charges §9:02

I. ELEMENTS AND COMMON SCENARIOS

§9:01 Summary of Elements of a Federal Firearms Possession Case

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Ασκ:

 Ισ τηερε αχτυαλ ποσσεσσιον?

 Ισ τηερε χονστρυχτιϖε ποσσεσσιον?

 Ισ τηερε σολε ορ ϕοιντ ποσσεσσιον?

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 

ΑΝ∆

 





§9:02 Felon in Possession

    





 ιγνοραντ ποσσεσσιον

ιννοχεντ 

     

