No. 19-5410October Term 2019Decided Jun 10, 2021Updated May 26, 2026
Borden v. United States
This case asked whether a prior crime committed with a reckless mental state counts as a "violent felony" under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which increases sentences for some firearm offenders with certain prior convictions.
Case status
Decided 5-4 · June 10, 2021 · Opinion by Justice Kagan
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Jun 10, 2021
- What it's about
This case asked whether a prior crime committed with a reckless mental state counts as a "violent felony" under the Armed Career Criminal Act, which increases sentences for some firearm offenders with certain prior convictions. The Supreme Court held that offenses based only on recklessness do not qualify under ACCA’s elements clause.
Question presented
Does the "use of force" clause in the Armed Career Criminal Act (the "ACCA"), 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B)(i) encompass crimes with a mens rea of mere recklessness?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit / Decision released Jun 10, 2021
- Area
Gun Rights
Timing
Decided June 10, 2021
The Court released its decision on June 10, 2021 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 26, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Jun 10, 2021 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Jul 24, 2019 | Court records
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology