2012 2k2_5

CHAPTER TWO - OFFENSE CONDUCT


PART K - OFFENSES INVOLVING PUBLIC SAFETY


2.      FIREARMS


§2K2.5.     Possession of Firearm or Dangerous Weapon in Federal Facility; Possession or Discharge of Firearm in School Zone

(a)      Base Offense Level:  6

(b)      Specific Offense Characteristic

(1)       If --

(A)       the defendant unlawfully possessed or caused any firearm or dangerous weapon to be present in a federal court facility; or

(B)       the defendant unlawfully possessed or caused any firearm to be present in a school zone,

increase by 2 levels.

(c)      Cross Reference

(1)       If the defendant used or possessed any firearm or dangerous weapon in connection with the commission or attempted commission of another offense, or possessed or transferred a firearm or dangerous weapon with knowledge or intent that it would be used or possessed in connection with another offense, apply --

(A)       §2X1.1 (Attempt, Solicitation, or Conspiracy) in respect to that other offense if the resulting offense level is greater than that determined above; or

(B)       if death resulted, the most analogous offense guideline from Chapter Two, Part A, Subpart 1 (Homicide), if the resulting offense level is greater than that determined above.


Commentary

Statutory Provisions:  18 U.S.C. §§ 922(q), 930; 40 U.S.C. § 5104(e)(1).

Application Notes:

1.      "Dangerous weapon" and "firearm" are defined in the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions).

2.      "Federal court facility" includes the courtroom; judges' chambers; witness rooms; jury deliberation rooms; attorney conference rooms; prisoner holding cells; offices and parking facilities of the court clerks, the United States attorney, and the United States marshal; probation and parole offices; and adjoining corridors and parking facilities of any court of the United States.  See 18 U.S.C. § 930(g)(3).

3.      "School zone" is defined at 18 U.S.C. § 922(q).  A sentence of imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. § 922(q) must run consecutively to any sentence of imprisonment imposed for any other offense.  See 18 U.S.C. § 924(a)(4).  In order to comply with the statute, when the guideline range is based on the underlying offense, and the defendant is convicted both of the underlying offense and 18 U.S.C. § 922(q), the court should apportion the sentence between the count for the underlying offense and the count under 18 U.S.C. § 922(q).  For example, if the guideline range is 30-37 months and the court determines "total punishment" of 36 months is appropriate, a sentence of 30 months for the underlying offense, plus 6 months under 18 U.S.C. § 922(q) would satisfy this requirement.

4.      Where the firearm was brandished, discharged, or otherwise used, in a federal facility, federal court facility, or school zone, and the cross reference from subsection (c)(1) does not apply, an upward departure may be warranted.

Historical Note:  Effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 191).  Amended effective November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment 374); November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 661);  November 1, 2010 (see Appendix C, amendment 746).