United States v. Powell

The Court of Appeals in a brief per curiam opinion held that portion of an Act of Congress prohibiting the mailing of firearms “capable of being concealed on the person,” 18 U. S. C. § 1715, to be unconstitutionally vague, and we granted certiorari to review this determination. 420 U. S. 971 (1975). Respondent was found guilty of having violated the statute by a jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, and was sentenced by that court to a term of two years' imprisonment. The testimony adduced at trial showed that a Mrs. Theresa Bailey received by mail…