United States v. Douglas MacArthur Brown

We consider a direct appeal from a jury conviction of knowingly making a material false statement in connection with the acquisition of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a) (6), and of knowingly possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. App. § 1202(a).

The material false statement appears in a “Firearms Transaction Record” completed on February 3, 1971, when appellant purchased the firearm. On that date, appellant, who could neither read nor write, entered Gilbert’s Gun Shop, in Knox County, Kentucky. Clayton Gilbert, the proprietor,…