Supreme Court Rules in Drug Sentencing, Gun Cases

Supreme Court Rules in Drug Sentencing, Gun Cases

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Court Rules in Gun Case

2 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court unanimously refused on Monday to broaden the impact of a law that adds extra prison time to the sentences of drug traffickers who use a gun in carrying out their crimes.

In a 9-0 decision, the court said the tough anti-crime provision does not apply to traffickers who trade drugs for guns.

The court overturned the gun-related conviction of Michael A. Watson of Ascension Parish, La., who told a man who turned out to be a government informant that Watson wanted a weapon for self-protection and was willing to trade illegal drugs for it.

The issue in the case was whether receiving a gun in exchange for drugs constitutes "use" of the gun under federal law.

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Thoughts on this one? I am still soaking this one in. I don't yet have a formal opinion but I will weigh in after further reading the judges decision on the official court case.

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I'm not a big fan of Justice Souter, but I think the Supreme Court made the right call on this one. I don't think a reasonable person would say trading drugs for an unloaded gun constitutes "using" the gun in the commission of a crime. 56 years seems like a very harsh sentence for this offense.