Watson v. United States

Summary

The Supreme Court held that 'using' a firearm under 18 U.S.C. §924(c)(1)(A) does not include receiving a firearm in trade for narcotics, relying on the ordinary meaning of 'use.' The Court distinguished its prior decision in Smith v. United States, which concerned a defendant trading a firearm for drugs, rather than receiving one. Justice Ginsburg concurred in the judgment, suggesting Smith should be overruled.