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.