United States v. Arthur L. Doe, A/K/A "Butchy"

BREYER, Chief Judge.

Under federal gun control law, a felon possessing a firearm who “has three previous convictions ... for violent felon[ies]” faces a mandatory minimum prison term of fifteen years. 18 U.S.C. § 924(e). This appeal asks whether the crime of being a felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), is itself a “violent felony” for purposes of this sentencing statute. The Eleventh and Ninth Circuits have held that it is. See United States v. Stinson, 943 F.2d 1268 (11th Cir.1991); United States v. O’Neal, 910 F.2d 663 (9th Cir.1990). The Fourth Circuit has held that it…