Rehaif v. United States
In brief
To convict under this law, the government must prove the person knew they had a gun and knew they were in a group forbidden to possess one.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 7-2 · June 21, 2019 · Opinion by Justice Breyer
- What it’s about
- This case asked whether, to convict someone under the federal law banning certain people from possessing firearms, the government must prove not only that the person knowingly possessed a gun but also that he knew he belonged to a prohibited category, such as being unlawfully in the United States.
- Who it affects
- Federal prosecutors must now prove knowledge of the person's barred status as well as knowing possession of a firearm. That can matter, for example, when the claimed barred status is being unlawfully in the United States.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court held that the government must prove both.
The decision interprets the federal law that bars specified groups of people from possessing firearms.
Question presented
Whether the "knowingly" provision of § 924(a)(2) applies to both the possession and status elements of a § 922(g) crime, as has been urged by then-Judge, now Justice Gorsuch, or whether it applies only to the possession element, as has been held by the courts.
What the Court decided
Holding
In a prosecution under §922(g) and §924(a)(2), the Government must prove both that the defendant knew he possessed a firearm and that he knew he belonged to the relevant category of persons barred from possessing a firearm. 888 F. 3d 1138, reversed and remanded.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
From the opinions
“The Court casually overturns the long-established interpretation of an important criminal statute, 18 U. S. C. §922(g), an interpretation that has been adopted by every single Court of Appeals to address the question.”
What's next
The case goes back to the lower court to apply the Supreme Court's rule. The Supreme Court has finished its work in this docket.
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Opinion added: opinion
Brief added: Petition
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Brief added: Questions Presented
More questions
- What did Rehaif v. United States decide?
- The Court said the government must prove knowledge of both firearm possession and the person's prohibited status.
- How did the Supreme Court rule in Rehaif?
- It overturned the Eleventh Circuit's ruling and sent the case back to the lower court for further proceedings.
- What must prosecutors prove after Rehaif?
- They must prove the accused knew they possessed a firearm and knew they belonged to a category barred from possessing one.
- What happens next in Rehaif?
- The lower court will handle the case under the Supreme Court's interpretation. The Supreme Court's docket action is complete.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.