dean argued march decided april individual convicted using carrying firearm relation violent drug trafficking crime possessing firearm furtherance crime receives mandatory minimum sentence addition punishment underlying crime mandatory minimum increases years firearm brandished years firearm discharged ii iii petitioner dean convicted conspiring commit bank robbery discharging firearm armed robbery firearm discharged robbery dean sentenced mandatory minimum prison term firearm count iii appeal contended discharge accidental iii requires proof defendant intended discharge firearm eleventh circuit affirmed holding proof intent required held section iii requires separate proof intent mandatory minimum applies gun discharged course violent drug trafficking crime whether purpose accident pp subsection iii provides minimum sentence firearm discharged require discharge done knowingly intentionally otherwise contain words limitation ordinarily resist reading words elements statute appear face bates congress use passive voice indicates subsection iii require proof intent cf watson statute structure also suggests limitation congress expressly included intent requirement mandatory minimum brandishing firearm separately defining brandish require firearm displayed order intimidate another person congress however separately define discharge include intent requirement generally presumed congress acts intentionally including particular language one section statute another russello contrary dean contention phrase relation opening paragraph modify discharged appears separate subsection different voice principal paragraph relation naturally read modify nearby verbs uses carries reading lead absurd results posited dean pp dean argues subsection iii must limited intentional discharges order give effect statute progression harsher penalties increasingly culpable conduct unusual impose criminal punishment consequences purely accidental conduct unusual punish individuals unintended consequences unlawful acts fact discharge may accidental mean defendant blameless sentencing enhancement accounts risk harm resulting manner crime carried defendant responsible see harris individual bringing loaded weapon commit crime runs risk gun discharge accidentally gunshot whether accidental intended increases risk others injured people panic violence used response also traumatizes bystanders pp statutory text structure demonstrate discharge provision contain intent requirement rule lenity implicated case affirmed roberts delivered opinion scalia kennedy souter thomas ginsburg alito joined stevens breyer filed dissenting opinions christopher michael dean petitioner writ certiorari appeals eleventh circuit april chief justice roberts delivered opinion accidents happen sometimes happen individuals committing crimes loaded guns question whether extra punishment congress imposed discharge gun certain crimes applies gun goes accidentally title criminalizes using carrying firearm relation violent drug trafficking crime possessing firearm furtherance crime individual convicted offense receives mandatory minimum sentence addition punishment underlying crime mandatory minimum increases years firearm brandished years firearm discharged ii iii case masked man entered bank waved gun yelled everyone get walked behind teller counter started removing money teller stations grabbed bills left hand holding gun right one point reached teller remove money drawer collecting money gun discharged leaving bullet hole partition two stations robber cursed dashed bank witnesses later testified seemed surprised gun gone one hurt app police arrested christopher michael dean ricardo curtis lopez crime defendants charged conspiracy commit robbery affecting interstate commerce violation aiding abetting using carrying possessing discharging firearm armed robbery violation iii app trial dean admitted committed robbery jury found guilty robbery firearm counts district sentenced dean mandatory minimum term years prison firearm count firearm discharged robbery iii app dean appealed contending discharge accidental sentencing enhancement iii requires proof defendant intended discharge firearm appeals affirmed holding separate proof intent required decision created conflict among circuits whether accidental discharge firearm specified crimes gives rise mandatory minimum see brown cadc holding granted certiorari resolve conflict ii section provides ny person relation crime violence drug trafficking crime uses carries firearm furtherance crime possesses firearm shall addition punishment provided crime violence drug trafficking crime sentenced term imprisonment less years ii firearm brandished sentenced term imprisonment less years iii firearm discharged sentenced term imprisonment less years principal paragraph defines complete offense subsections explain defendants sentenced harris subsection sets catchall minimum sentence less five years subsections ii iii increase minimum penalty firearm brandished discharged see parties disagree whether iii contains requirement defendant intend discharge firearm hold start always language statute williams taylor text subsection iii provides defendant shall sentenced minimum years firearm discharged require discharge done knowingly intentionally otherwise contain words limitation explained bates declining infer requirement statute ordinarily resist reading words elements statute appear face congress use passive voice indicates subsection iii require proof intent passive voice focuses event occurs without respect specific actor therefore without respect actor intent culpability cf watson slip use passive voice statutory phrase used reflects agnosticism using whether something happened happened matters structure statute also suggests subsection iii limited intentional discharge firearm subsection ii provides mandatory minimum sentence firearm brandished congress expressly included intent requirement provision defining brandish mean display part firearm otherwise make presence firearm known another person order intimidate person emphasis added defendant must intended brandish firearm brandishing must done specific purpose congress however separately define discharge include intent requirement congress includes particular language one section statute omits another section act generally presumed congress acts intentionally purposely disparate inclusion exclusion russello internal quotation marks omitted dean argues statute silent question presented congress contends included intent element opening paragraph element extends sentencing enhancements section criminalizes using carrying firearm relation violent drug trafficking crime smith stated phrase relation means firearm must purpose effect respect drug trafficking crime presence involvement result accident coincidence dean argues adverbial phrase thus necessarily embodies intent requirement phrase modifies verbs statute use carry possess also brandish discharge reading requires perpetrator knowingly discharge firearm enhancement apply discharge accidental dean argues relation underlying crime natural reading statute however relation modifies nearby verbs uses carries next verb possesses modified adverbial clause furtherance last two verbs brandished discharged appear separate subsections different voice verbs principal paragraph basis reading relation extend way modify discharged better reading statute adverbial phrases opening paragraph relation furtherance modify respective nearby verbs neither phrase extends sentencing factors dean argues reading lead absurd results discharge provision face contains temporal causal limitations absence intent requirement enhancement apply regardless actions occur reason taken brief petitioner example apply gun used crime discharged weeks years crime reply brief petitioner agree implying intent requirement necessary address concerns government recognizes sentencing factors one often involve special features manner basic crime carried brief quoting harris internal quotation marks omitted basic crime using carrying firearm relation violent drug trafficking crime possessing firearm furtherance crime fanciful hypotheticals testing whether discharge special featur basic crime carried harris internal quotation marks omitted best addressed terms contorting stretching statutory language imply intent requirement dean argues even statute viewed silent intent question silence compels ruling favor notes presumption criminal prohibitions include requirement government prove defendant intended conduct made criminal light presumption number occasions read component offense even statutory definition terms provide gypsum ome indication congressional intent express implied required dispense mens rea element crime staples dean argues presumption especially strong case given structure purpose statute view three subsections intended provide harsher penalties increasingly culpable conduct minimum using carrying possessing firearm minimum brandishing firearm minimum discharging firearm incorporating intent requirement discharge provision necessary give effect progression accidental discharge less culpable intentional brandishment see brown unusual impose criminal punishment consequences purely accidental conduct unusual punish individuals unintended consequences unlawful acts see lafave substantive criminal law pp ed rule familiar example defendant commits unintended homicide committing another felony defendant convicted murder see sentencing guidelines reflect principle see sentencing commission guidelines manual ussg increasing offense level aggravated assault according seriousness injury increasing offense level operating directing operation common carrier influence alcohol drugs death serious bodily injury results blackstone expressed idea following terms accidental mischief happens follow performance lawful act party stands excused guilt man thing unlawful consequence ensues foresee intend death man like want foresight shall excuse guilty one offence antecedently unlawful criminally guilty whatever consequence may follow first misbehaviour blackstone commentaries laws england defendant already guilty unlawful conduct twice violent drug trafficking offense use carrying possession firearm course offense unlawful conduct accident see smith fact actual discharge gun covered iii may accidental mean defendant blameless sentencing enhancement subsection iii accounts risk harm resulting manner crime carried defendant responsible see harris supra individual brings loaded weapon commit crime runs risk gun discharge accidentally gunshot circumstances whether accidental intended increases risk others injured people panic violence danger nearby used response criminals wishing avoid penalty inadvertent discharge lock unload firearm handle care underlying violent drug trafficking crime leave gun home best yet avoid committing felony first place justice stevens contends statute read require showing intent harm resulting discharge may punishable provisions sentencing guidelines bodily injury results post dissenting opinion citing ussg congress iii elected impose mandatory term without regard generally applicable sentencing provisions punishment available provisions therefore suggest statute issue limited intentional discharges although point relevant correct reading statute wrong assert gunshot caused harm post pure luck one killed wounded gunshot plainly added trauma experienced held armed robbery see app gunshot shook us ibid melissa lobby popped said god shot nora dean finally argues doubts proper interpretation statute resolved favor rule lenity see brief petitioner simple existence statutory ambiguity however sufficient warrant application rule statutes ambiguous degree muscarello see also smith supra mere possibility articulating narrower construction however make rule lenity applicable invoke rule must conclude grievous ambiguity uncertainty statute muscarello supra internal quotation marks omitted case statutory text structure convince us discharge provision contain intent requirement dean contrary arguments enough render statute grievously ambiguous section iii requires separate proof intent mandatory minimum applies gun discharged course violent drug trafficking crime whether purpose accident judgment appeals eleventh circuit affirmed ordered christopher michael dean petitioner writ certiorari appeals eleventh circuit april justice stevens dissenting accidents happen seldom give rise criminal liability indeed cause harm seldom give rise liability today nevertheless holds petitioner subject mandatory additional sentence species criminal liability accident caused harm two reasons iii construed first structure suggests congress intended provide escalating sentences increasingly culpable conduct discharge provision therefore applies intentional discharges second even statute affirmatively support inference presumption provisions imposing criminal penalties require proof mens rea lead conclusion cf video accordingly hold appeals erred concluding petitioner sentenced iii absent evidence intended discharge gun clear structure history congress intended iii apply intentional discharges statute structure supports inference congress intended impose increasingly harsh punishment increasingly culpable conduct lesser enhancements carrying brandishing provided clauses ii clearly require proof intent clause imposes mandatory minimum sentence using carrying firearm relation crime violence drug trafficking offense possessing firearm furtherance offense said provision relational terms convey reach inadvertent conduct see smith phrase relation minimum clarifies firearm must purpose effect respect drug trafficking crime presence involvement result accident coincidence similarly clause ii mandates enhanced penalty brandishing firearm upon proof defendant specific intent intimidate see context natural reading clause iii imposes greatest mandatory penalty provides additional punishment culpable act intentional legislative history also indicates congress intended impose enhanced penalty intentional discharge bailey held use firearm purposes required type active employment brandishing displaying bartering striking obviously firing attempting fire congress responded bailey amending making offense posses firearm furtherance one predicate offenses adding sentencing enhancements brandishing discharge see pub stat see also cong rec remarks dewine referring amendments bailey fix act given close relationship bailey decision congress enactment brandishing discharge provisions terms best read codifying culpable among active employments firearm identified bailey ii even evidence congress intended iii apply intentional discharges presumption criminal provisions include intent requirement lead conclusion consistent tradition requirement mens rea long rule criminal jurisprudence see gypsum concept crime concurrence mind hand took deep early root american soil morissette legislating backdrop often omitted intent elements codifying criminal law courts assumed omission signify disapproval principle merely recognized intent inherent idea offense required statutory affirmation similarly absent clear statement congress intended create offense mens rea requirement generally presumed federal statutes see staples narrowly delineated exceptions crimes statutory rape public welfare offenses presumption remains rule today see morissette see also staples discussing balint although mandatory minimum sentencing provisions recent genesis pedigree see harris thomas dissenting sensible reason treating differently offense elements purposes presumption mens rea sentencing provisions type substantially effect defendant liberty aggravated offense provisions although sentencing judge discretion issue sentences within substantial range bounded one end mandatory minimum sentence statutory maximum sentence judges practice rarely exercise discretion justice thomas noted harris sentence imposed defendant found firearm relation drug trafficking offense appears almost uniformly invariably five years found brandished firearm typically always sentenced years prison found discharged firearm sentenced years dissenting opinion see also sentencing commission guidelines manual ussg stating minimum sentence required guideline sentence increase upward departure anything imposition mandatory minimum sentence likely greater effect defendant liberty conviction another offense unlike sentences federal offenses sentences imposed pursuant section must served consecutively sentence see ii foregoing shows mandatory minimum sentencing provisions effect different aggravated offense provisions tradition requiring proof mens rea establish criminal culpability thus apply equally sentencing factors absent clear indication congress intended create liability enhancement courts presume provision mandates enhanced criminal penalties requires proof intent conclusion bolstered fact long applied rule lenity similar mens rea rule origin purpose provisions increase criminal penalties well criminalize conduct see plurality opinion bifulco ladner accordingly apply presumption case avoid strange result imposing substantially harsher penalty act caused mind clumsy hand majority urges result case unusual legislatures commonly punish individuals unintended consequences unlawful acts ante collection examples follows assertion telling cites rule sentencing guidelines provisions permit increased punishment based seriousness harm caused predicate act see ussg increasing offense level aggravated assault according seriousness injury increasing offense level operating common carrier influence alcohol drugs death serious injury results examples common provision enhanced penalties infliction additional harm contrast iii punishes discharges whether harm realized additionally majority examples congress sentencing commission made explicit intent punish resulting harm regardless perpetrator mens rea section iii contains analogous statement reasons iii readily distinguishable provisions majority cites contrary majority suggestion existence provisions penalize unintended consequences felonious conduct underscores reasonableness reading iii require proof intent harm results firearm discharge commission violent felony drug trafficking offense defendant punishable pursuant ussg increasing offense level robbery according resulting degree bodily injury rule similar provision defendant subject punishment harm resulting discharge whether also subject enhanced penalty imposed iii indicates latter provision intended serve different purpose namely punish culpable act intentional discharge iii sum structure history indicate congress meant impose substantial penalty provided clause iii cases intentional discharge statute unclear regard reach conclusion applying presumption congress intended include mens rea requirement mandatory sentencing provisions meaningfully distinguishable statutes defining crimes previously applied presumption rule morissette staples rule therefore guide analysis insufficient evidence rebut presumption case respectfully dissent christopher michael dean petitioner writ certiorari appeals eleventh circuit april justice breyer dissenting many reasons justice stevens sets forth believe statutory provision us applies intentional accidental discharges firearms justice stevens points bailey held simple possession firearm without type active employment brandishing displaying bartering striking obviously firing attempting fire constitute use firearm see ante dissenting opinion seems possible likely congress statute amended law criminalizing simple possession bailey found insufficient imposed set ever severe mandatory sentences conduct listed bailey considered ways offender might use firearm see ante statutory words discharged iii refer bailey called firing encompass accidental discharge concede lists strong arguments contrary view rule lenity tips balance majority position rule lenity ordinarily applied reflects law insistence criminal statute provide fair warning law intends certain line passed bass internal quotation marks omitted mandatory minimum sentence issue application reflects additional consideration namely application likely produce interpretation hews closely congress sentencing intent case mandatory minimum interpretation errs side exclusion interpretive error side leniency still permits sentencing judge impose sentence similar perhaps close statutory sentence even sentence interpretation statute legislatively required see sentencing commission guidelines manual specific offense characteristics possibly calling year increase sentencing range case like one sentencing judge likely give low sentence unusual case nature accident example makes clear offender responsible perhaps discharge put one risk see koon course unusual nature case means kind case congress mind enacted statute moreover error excludes erroneously set instances congress meant include accidental discharge lead sentencing commission focus cases exercise investigative judgmental powers decide cases handled investigation turn make available congress body evidence analysis help reconsider statute wishes hand interpretation errs side inclusion requires imposing years additional imprisonment individuals congress intended punish harshly interpretation prevent sentencing giving lower sentence even unusual case example accident unintended unforeseeable imposes additional risk interpretation erroneously taking discretion away sentencing judge ensure results depart dramatically congress intended cf harris breyer concurring part concurring judgment statutory mandatory minimums generally deny judge legal power depart downward matter unusual special circumstances call leniency moreover unusual cases definition rare errors provide little incentive sentencing commission congress reconsider statute interpretive asymmetries give rule lenity special force context mandatory minimum provisions believe discharge provision sufficiently ambiguous warrant application rule respectfully dissent footnotes contrary suggestion ante congress provision specific intent element brandishing discharge supports conclusion congress intend enhancements discharge provision require proof specific intent supports inference congress also intended eliminate general intent requirement thereby make offenders strictly liable sure also inquiries said sentencing provisions different harris plurality opinion mcmillan pennsylvania distinguished purposes constitutional analysis mandatory minimum sentencing schemes offense elements provisions increase statutory maximum sentence continue agree justice thomas compelling dissent harris rejected distinction ground mandatory minimum sentencing provisions least significant affect defendant liberty additional convictions statutory maximum provisions logic treating provisions similarly buttressed subsequent decision booker