United States v. Daniels , 248 F. App'x 387 ( 2007 )

Opinions of the United
2007 Decisions States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit
9-20-2007
USA v. Daniels
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential
Docket No. 05-5503
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NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
No: 05-5503
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
v.
ABDUL Q. DANIELS
Appellant
Appeal from Judgment of Conviction
in Criminal No. 04-288 in the United States District Court
for the Western District of Pennsylvania
(Crim. No. 04-cr-00288)
Chief District Judge: Hon. Gustave Diamond
Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
April 23, 2007
(Filed: September 20, 2007)
Before: McKEE, AMBRO, Circuit Judges
and ACKERMAN,* District Judge
_____________________
OPINION
_____________________
McKEE, Circuit Judge
*
Honorable Harold A. Ackerman, Senior United States District Court for the District of
New Jersey, sitting by designation.
1
Abdul Q. Daniels appeals his conviction for being a prior felon in possession of a firearm
in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). For the following reasons, we will affirm the conviction.
The District Court had subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have
jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Because we write primarily for the parties, we need
not recite the underlying facts or procedural history of this case in detail.
I. The Innocent Possession Defense1
The District Court properly denied Daniels’ request for a jury instruction on the
affirmative defense of innocent possession. That affirmative defense has not been recognized by
this court. Moreover, even if it had been available, Daniels cannot establish that it applies here.
To demonstrate a violation of § 922(g)(1), the government must establish each of the following
elements beyond a reasonable doubt: (1) Daniels had previously been convicted of a crime
punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year; (2) he knowingly possessed a
firearm; and (3) the firearm passed in interstate commerce. United States v. Dodd, 225 F.3d 340,
344 (3d Cir. 2000). The government must only establish that Daniels was aware that he
possessed a firearm to establish that the possession was “knowing.” Id. The government need
not establish an intent to cause harm or knowledge that possession was unlawful. Id. Daniels
does not dispute that the Government established every element of the offense.
Daniels discusses the affirmative defense of justification that we recognized in United
States v. Paolello, 951 F.2d 537, 541 (3d Cir. 1991). However, he recognizes that that defense
is inapplicable because he was not “under unlawful and present threat of death or serious bodily
1
The briefs of both parties repeatedly refer to the “temporary innocent possession”
defense. However, the relevant case law refers to the doctrine as the “innocent possession”
defense. Accordingly, we will use that term in referring to the doctrine rather than the term
employed by the parties.
2
injury” at the time he possessed the firearm. See Paolello, 951 F.2d at 540. Rather, he attempts
to rely on the decision in United States v. Mason, 233 F.3d 619, 621 (D.C. Cir. 2001). There, the
court acknowledged the innocent possession defense in limited situations.
The Supreme Court has explained that Congress enacted § 922 to “keep firearms away
from persons . . . potentially irresponsible and dangerous.” See Barrett v. United States, 423
U.S. 212, 218 (1976). Accordingly, we have explained the importance of “a narrow view of the
justification defense as employed in connection with the felon-in-possession statute.” Dodd, 225
F.3d at 347. That is true here.
Even if we were to adopt the reasoning of Mason, Daniels would have had to satisfy the
test the court established there. See 233 F.3d at 621. Thus, he would have had to establish that:
“(1) the firearm was attained innocently and held with no illicit purpose and (2) possession of the
firearm was transitory.” Id. at 624. In order to satisfy the second element, “a defendant’s
actions must demonstrate both that he had the intent to turn the weapon over to the police and
that he was pursuing such an intent with immediacy and through a reasonable course of
conduct.” Id. (quoting Logan v. United States, 402 A.2d 822, 827 (D.C. 1979)). If a defendant
satisfies both elements of the Mason test, the possession of a firearm is “excused and justified as
stemming from an affirmative effort to aid and enhance social policy underlying law
enforcement.” Id. (quoting Hines v. United States, 326 A.2d 247, 248 (D.C. 1974)).
In order for an instruction to be presented to a jury on an affirmative defense, the
defendant must provide evidence establishing each element sufficient to warrant its
consideration by the jury. United States v. Bailey, 444 U.S. 394, 415 (1980); see also Mathews
v. United States, 485 U.S. 58, 63 (1988) (“[A] defendant is entitled to an instruction as to any
3
recognized defense for which there exists evidence sufficient for a reasonable jury to find in his
favor.”). This record would not support the instruction that Daniels wants.
Assuming Daniels’ explanation is accurate, it is nevertheless apparent that he had other
options upon finding the gun in his girlfriend’s minivan. His lack of knowledge of the gun’s
presence in the minivan when he got into the minivan does not make his continued possession
innocent, and his possession of the firearm was not “transitory.” He had the opportunity to
promptly divest himself of the weapon by turning it over to police, but chose not to. Even
assuming that he aborted an errand to return home, he still could not satisfy the stringent
requirements set forth in Mason. Accordingly, we conclude that he has failed to establish the
prerequisites for the innocent possession defense to be submitted to the jury even if such a
defense had been available.
II. The Constitutionality of Section 922(g)
As Daniels candidly admits, his argument that the trial court lacked subject-matter
jurisdiction because 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) is an unconstitutional exercise of Congress’s authority
under the Commerce Clause has already been rejected by this court and need not be discussed as
we are bound by those decisions under IOP 9.1.2
III.
For the reasons stated above, we will affirm the conviction.
2
See Appellant’s Br. at 27 (citing United States v. Singletary, 268 F.3d 196 (3d Cir.
2001); United States v. Shambry, 392 F.3d 631, 634 (3d Cir. 2004)).
4