United States v. Daniels

Decision Date08 September 1970
Docket NumberNo. 25297.,25297.
PartiesUNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Lane Dale DANIELS, Defendant-Appellant.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit

Bernard G. Winsberg (argued), Los Angeles, Cal., for defendant-appellant.

David P. Curnow (argued), Asst. U. S. Atty., Robt. L. Meyer, U. S. Atty., David R. Nissen, Chief, Criminal Division, Los Angeles, Cal., for plaintiff-appellee.

Before CHAMBERS and HUFSTEDLER, Circuit Judges, and PECKHAM,* District Judge.

PER CURIAM:

Defendant appeals from his conviction for violating 18 U.S.C.App. § 1202 (convicted felon's possession of a firearm). He contends that: (1) the statute is unconstitutional, because it purports to reach wholly intrastate transactions, and it is therefore beyond the scope of the Commerce Clause; and (2) the Government failed to prove that the firearm he possessed was in commerce or affected commerce, which is an element of the offense. We reject both contentions.

The numerous cases expanding the Commerce Clause to embrace local activities, when those activities bear even tangentially on interstate commerce defeat defendant's constitutional argument. E. g., Maryland v. Wirtz (1968) 392 U. S. 183, 88 S.Ct. 2017, 20 L.Ed.2d 1020; Katzenbach v. McClung (1964) 379 U.S. 294, 85 S.Ct. 377, 13 L.Ed.2d 290; Wickard v. Filburn (1942) 317 U.S. 111, 63 S.Ct. 82, 87 L.Ed. 122; United States v. Biancofiori (7th Cir. 1970) 422 F.2d 584.

We hold that the fact that the firearm was in commerce or affected commerce is not an element of the offense stated in section 1202, adopting the rationale of United States v. Bass (S.D. N.Y.1970) 308 F.Supp. 1385.

The judgment is affirmed.

* Honorable Robert F. Peckham, United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of California.

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14 cases
  • United States v. Synnes, 20438.
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (8th Circuit)
    • February 1, 1971
    ...United States v. Cabbler, 429 F.2d 577 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 400 U.S. 901, 91 S.Ct. 138, 27 L.Ed.2d 138 (1970); United States v. Daniels, 431 F.2d 697 (9th Cir. 1970). However, the Second Circuit, in United States v. Bass, 434 F.2d 1296 (1970), held that to avoid serious constitutional ......
  • United States v. Bass 8212 71
    • United States
    • United States Supreme Court
    • December 20, 1971
    ...F.2d 764 (CA8 1971); United States v. Wiley, 438 F.2d 773 (CA8 1971); United States v. Taylor, 438 F.2d 774 (CA8 1971); United States v. Daniels, 431 F.2d 697 (CA9 1970); United States v. Crow, 439 F.2d 1193 (CA9 1971). Only the Second Circuit stands 1. The statute, 18 U.S.C.App. § 1202 (a)......
  • Stevens v. United States, 20488.
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (6th Circuit)
    • March 22, 1971
    ...with the results reached by the Fourth, Eighth and Ninth Circuits. United States v. Synnes, 438 F.2d 764 (8th Cir.); United States v. Daniels, 431 F.2d 697 (9th Cir.); and United States v. Cabbler, 429 F.2d 577 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 400 U.S. 901, 91 S.Ct. 138, 27 L.Ed.2d 138. We respect......
  • U.S. v. Bell, 187
    • United States
    • United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (2nd Circuit)
    • October 6, 1975
    ...United States v. Taylor, 438 F.2d 774 (8th Cir. 1971), vacated, 404 U.S. 1009, 92 S.Ct. 686, 30 L.Ed.2d 657 (1972); United States v. Daniels, 431 F.2d 697 (9th Cir. 1970); United States v. Crow, 439 F.2d 1193 (9th Cir. 1971), vacated, 404 U.S. 1009, 92 S.Ct. 687, 30 L.Ed.2d 657 (1972).2 In ......
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