Holloway v. Sessions
Holloway v. Sessions
Opinion of the Court
Holloway brings this civil rights action seeking a declaration pursuant to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals' recent decision in Binderup v. Attorney General,
*454for summary judgment. Also pending is defendants' motion (Doc. 60) to dismiss, or in the alternative, for summary judgment.
I. Factual Background & Procedural History
A police officer initiated a traffic stop of Holloway's vehicle for speeding on December 28, 2002. (Doc. 61-1 ¶¶ 7-9). Holloway was subsequently arrested for suspected drunk driving. (Id. ¶¶ 10-14). Approximately one hour after his arrest, Holloway performed a breathalyzer test which registered a blood alcohol content ("BAC") of 0.131 percent. (Id. ¶¶ 15-16). Holloway was charged with driving under the influence ("driving under the influence" or "DUI") of alcohol and speeding in violation of Pennsylvania law. (Id. ¶ 17). He successfully completed Pennsylvania's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition ("ARD") program resulting in dismissal of the charges against him.
On January 29, 2005, a police officer witnessed Holloway drive the wrong way down a one-way street and initiated a traffic stop. (Doc. 61-1 ¶¶ 19-20). After Holloway was arrested for suspected drunk driving, the officer administered a breathalyzer test and Holloway registered a BAC of 0.192 percent. (Id. ¶¶ 21-22). Holloway was charged with driving under the influence in violation of 75 PA. CONS. STAT. § 3802(a)(1), and driving under the influence at the highest rate of alcohol (BAC of .16 percent or higher) in violation of 75 PA. CONS. STAT. § 3802(c). (Id. ¶ 23). He pled guilty to driving under the influence at the highest rate of alcohol. (Id. ¶ 24). This 2005 DUI conviction was Holloway's second offense and was graded as a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Id. )
In Pennsylvania, a misdemeanor of the first degree carries a maximum possible sentence of five years' imprisonment. 18 PA. CONS. STAT. § 1104(1). If an individual is convicted of a second DUI offense at the highest rate of alcohol,
In September 2016, Holloway attempted to purchase a firearm. (Doc. 61-1 ¶ 28). Holloway's firearm application was denied following an instant background check, and Holloway appealed the denial. (Id. ¶¶ 35, 39; see Doc. 61-2 at 83). The Pennsylvania State Police affirmed the background check results and noted that, pursuant to
Holloway commenced this litigation asserting an as-applied challenge to
II. Legal Standard
Through summary adjudication, the court may dispose of those claims that do not present a "genuine dispute as to any material fact" and for which a jury trial would be an empty and unnecessary formality. FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a). The burden of proof tasks the non-moving party to come forth with "affirmative evidence, beyond the allegations of the pleadings," in support of its right to relief. Pappas v. City of Lebanon,
Courts are permitted to resolve cross-motions for summary judgment concurrently. See Lawrence v. City of Phila.,
*456III. Discussion
Federal law generally prohibits and criminalizes possession of a firearm by any person convicted of "a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year."
A person prohibited from possessing a firearm may bring an as-applied Second Amendment challenge to the statute effecting that ban. See Binderup,
Holloway's second DUI offense at the highest rate of alcohol, was punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and therefore falls within the ambit of Section 922(g)(1). See 18 PA. CONS. STAT. § 1104(1) ; 75 PA. CONS. STAT. § 3803(b)(4). Holloway argues that this conviction is not sufficiently serious to justify annulment of his Second Amendment rights and that defendants have not satisfied intermediate scrutiny at step two. Holloway also challenges the propriety of applying any means-end scrutiny to his as-applied Second Amendment challenge. Defendants rejoin that Holloway has not met his burden at step one and that the proscription of Section 922(g)(1) satisfies intermediate scrutiny because it is reasonably calculated to advance the government's substantial interest in public safety. Holloway seeks declaratory and permanent injunctive relief.
A. Step One of Marzzarella-Binderup Framework
Historically, persons convicted of a felony could be stripped of their Second Amendment rights because they ostensibly lacked "virtue." Binderup,
1. Binderup Factors
As previously noted, Pennsylvania punishes a second DUI offense at the "highest rate of alcohol," as a misdemeanor of the first degree. 75 PA. CONS. STAT. § 3803(b)(4). Defendants argue that relying solely on the crime's label "elevate[s] form over substance," (Doc. 61 at 16-17), because Pennsylvania prescribes a maximum possible sentence of five years' imprisonment for a misdemeanor of the first degree, 18 PA. CONS. STAT. § 1104(1). The maximum possible punishment is "certainly probative" of the offense's seriousness, but its classification as a misdemeanor by a state legislature "is a powerful expression of its belief that the offense is not serious enough to be disqualifying." Binderup,
Notwithstanding defendants' contention that Holloway's crime of conviction was dangerous, under Pennsylvania law, actual or attempted violence is not an element of driving under the influence at the highest rate of alcohol. See 75 PA. CONS. STAT. § 3802(c). The offense is therefore nonviolent, despite its potential for perilous and often tragic outcomes. See Binderup,
The parties vigorously dispute the proper weight the court should ascribe to the sentence imposed on Holloway. The government correctly notes that Holloway's sentence was "more severe" than those of the Binderup plaintiffs, neither of whom served any jail time. (Doc. 78 at 4 (quoting Binderup,
All 50 states criminalize driving with a BAC of .08 percent or higher. (Doc. 61-1 ¶ 56). But in determining whether a cross-jurisdictional consensus existed as to the *458seriousness of the offenses at issue in Binderup, the Third Circuit also considered how many states prescribed a maximum sentence that "meet[s] the threshold of a traditional felony (more than one year in prison)."
Holloway's 2005 DUI conviction was his second offense within three years and he had a BAC of .192 percent. For a second DUI offense, 40 states prescribe a maximum term of imprisonment of one year or less. (See Doc. 58-4 at 7-31). Ten states enforce a maximum term of imprisonment of more than one year for a second DUI offense, (id. at 9-10, 13, 15-16, 21-23, 28), only four of which classify the second DUI offense as a felony, (id. at 9, 13, 21, 23). Defendants note that 48 states impose enhanced penalties for DUI offenses when the driver's BAC exceeds a "particularly high threshold." (Doc. 58 ¶ 58; Doc. 61 at 21). These enhanced penalties for elevated BAC levels include increased fines, license suspension, installation of ignition interlock devices, and heightened minimum terms of imprisonment. (See Doc. 58-4 at 7-31). However, only three states increase the maximum possible term of imprisonment above one year for a BAC of .16 or higher during a second offense. (Doc. 58-4 at 12, 24, 26). The government has not shown there is a consensus regarding the seriousness of a generic second DUI offense, let alone a second DUI offense at a high rate of alcohol.
2. Additional Factors
The parties urge the court to consider two additional factors in evaluating the seriousness of Holloway's offense. Holloway contends that, under Pennsylvania law, he would not be prohibited from owning a firearm after a second DUI offense at the highest rate of alcohol. (Doc. 59 at 13-14). Defendants contend that Holloway's DUI offense evinces a manifest disregard for the safety of others. (Doc. 61 at 22-23). We take these arguments in turn.
Under Pennsylvania law, a person who has three or more DUI convictions within a five-year period is prohibited from transferring or purchasing firearms. 18 PA. CONS. STAT. § 6105(c)(3) (citing 75 PA. CONS. STAT. § 3802 ). This prohibition does not extend to firearms possessed prior to the third DUI conviction. Id.; see Hamborsky v. Pa. State Police, No. 1359 C.D. 2016,
It is beyond peradventure that driving under the influence of alcohol significantly increases the likelihood of accidents and accident-related fatalities. In 2016 alone, there were over 10,000 fatalities nationwide stemming from alcohol-related driving accidents; 62 percent of drivers in those accidents had a BAC in excess of the legal limit. (Doc. 61-2 at 100). And 67 percent of those 2016 alcohol-related driving fatalities arose from accidents where at least one driver had a BAC of .15 percent or higher. (Id. at 105). A study of 2007 motor-vehicle-accident data revealed that individuals with a BAC of .15 percent or higher were between approximately 112 and 200 times more likely to be involved in any fatal motor vehicle accident depending on the age of the driver. (Doc. 61-3 at 43). Based on these studies, defendants contend that recidivist drunk driving evinces a manifest disregard for the safety of others. (Doc. 61 at 22). The majority of states, including Pennsylvania, require first time DUI offenders to attend a DUI or substance abuse program as part of their sentence, rendering repeat offenses more egregious. (See Doc. 58-4 at 7-31); 75 PA. CONS. STAT. § 3804(a)(1)(iii)-(iv). A second DUI offense, regardless of BAC level, certainly demonstrates maladjustment and a reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of others.
3. Consideration of All Factors
After a careful weighing of the Binderup factors, the court concludes that Holloway's crime was not a "serious offense" within the ambit of Section 922(g)(1). A second DUI offense at the highest rate of alcohol, is a misdemeanor under Pennsylvania law and no showing of violence or attempted violence is required for conviction. All states take DUI offenses "seriously" by criminalizing such conduct, but there is no cross-jurisdictional consensus on the seriousness of such an offense. Only a handful of states classify a second DUI offense as a felony or impose a maximum penalty of more than one year imprisonment. Fewer still increase the maximum possible term of imprisonment above one year when the offender drives at a high rate of alcohol (BAC greater than .15 percent). Despite the panoply of penalties available, the sentencing judge chose not to impose a sentence above the mandatory minimum term of 90 days' imprisonment and permitted Holloway to participate in a work release program.
Defendants' proffered factors do not tip the scales against Holloway. That driving under the influence is risky behavior is undisputed. It places others in danger of bodily harm. Yet only seven states permanently suspend a repeat DUI offender's driving privileges, and only after a third DUI conviction. (See Doc. 58-4 at 7, 10, 19, 22, 24, 28-29). The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has clearly indicated that a repeat DUI offender is not so unvirtuous that he or she must be disarmed until a third DUI conviction in five years and, even then, the disability has an automatic ten-year expiration date. Holloway has distinguished *460himself from the class of persons historically barred from possessing a firearm by establishing that his crime of conviction was not sufficiently serious.
B. Step Two of Marzzarella-Binderup Framework
As a threshold matter, Holloway invites the court to reject step two of the Marzzarella - Binderup framework entirely as inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent, which purportedly rejects application of any interest balancing to Second Amendment rights. (Doc. 59 at 18-19). He misapprehends the Court's rejection of "judicial interest balancing" as a means to determine the scope of the Second Amendment right. See McDonald v. City of Chicago,
At step two, the government bears the burden of establishing that Section 922(g)(1) satisfies intermediate scrutiny.
The government has not satisfied its burden of proving that disarmament of Holloway, and other individuals like him, will promote public safety. It relies heavily on an expert report
The report further opines that laws prohibiting "high risk" individuals from purchasing firearms reduce future violent and firearms-related offenses. (Id. at 13-14). In support of this proposition, the report cites two studies which collected data on individuals with at least one prior misdemeanor conviction for a crime of violence. (Id. at 13-14 & n.50) Both studies found that barring said individuals from purchasing firearms reduced the commission of future crimes involving firearms or violence, and intimate partner homicides, respectively. (Id. ) Defendants can draw no reasonable conclusion from these studies about the risk posed by Holloway's potential possession of a firearm as his disqualifying misdemeanor was nonviolent.
One study identified by the report found 32.8 percent of handgun purchasers who had prior alcohol convictions were arrested for a subsequent crime involving violence or firearms. (Id. at 9 & n.34). The study's regression analysis revealed that individuals with just one prior alcohol-related conviction were four times as likely to be arrested for a firearm-related offense or a crime of violence. (Id. at 10). The data set utilized by the study consists of persons who purchased a handgun from a California retail firearms dealer in 1977. (Id. at 9). Without questioning the validity of the study's methodology, we find that this study alone does not adequately establish a substantial fit between Holloway's disarmament and the government's compelling interest in preventing armed mayhem.
Holloway contends that the federal government's history of granting relief from federal firearms disabilities to deserving persons undercuts defendants' arguments at step two. Prior to 1993, the United States Attorney General had the authority to grant relief to persons prohibited under federal law from obtaining and possessing firearms.
Holloway points to four individuals with criminal behavior of a more severe character than his, and who received firearm disability relief pursuant to Section 925(c), undermining the government's contention that individuals like Holloway should not retain Second Amendment rights. (Doc. 59 at 22-26). At step two of the Marzzarella - Binderup framework, the government *462must show a substantial, not perfect, fit between the disarmament of Holloway and its compelling interest in preventing armed mayhem. See Binderup,
Nevertheless, defendants' evidence fails to account for key characteristics of Holloway and similarly situated persons. They have presented no evidence indicating that individuals like Holloway-after over a decade of virtuous,
C. Permanent Injunctive Relief
Our inquiry does not end with a determination that Holloway has prevailed on the merits of his as-applied Second Amendment challenge. Before the court may grant permanent injunctive relief, Holloway must prove: first , that he will suffer irreparable injury absent the requested injunction; second , that legal remedies are inadequate to compensate that injury; third , that balancing of the respective hardships between the parties warrants a remedy in equity; and fourth , that the public interest is not disserved by an injunction's issuance. See eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C.,
The injury here is irreparable, as the deprivation of a constitutional freedom "for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury." Mills v. D.C.,
As to the respective hardships between the parties, we fail to ascertain any real hardship defendants would suffer from an award of permanent injunctive relief. Defendants have identified none, save for their arguments regarding the risk Holloway poses based on his second DUI conviction, which we have squarely addressed. Holloway, per contra , would continue to suffer the Second Amendment injury described in this opinion if a permanent injunction were not granted. The balancing of hardships thus militates in favor of Holloway's *463requested injunction. Finally, we find the public interest is advanced, rather than disserved, by permanently enjoining defendants from continued infringement of a citizen's constitutional rights. We will grant Holloway's request for permanent injunctive relief.
IV. Conclusion
Section 922(g)(1) is unconstitutional as applied to Holloway. Holloway's disqualifying conviction was not sufficiently serious to warrant deprivation of his Second Amendment rights, and disarmament of individuals such as Holloway is not sufficiently tailored to further the government's compelling interest of preventing armed mayhem. The court will grant summary judgment, declaratory judgment, and permanent injunctive relief to Holloway. An appropriate order shall issue.
Local Rule 56.1 requires that a motion for summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 be supported "by a separate, short, and concise statement of the material facts, in numbered paragraphs, as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue to be tried." Local Rule of Court 56.1. A party opposing a motion for summary judgment must file a separate statement of material facts, responding to the numbered paragraphs set forth in the moving party's statement and identifying genuine issues for trial. See
After dismissing charges pursuant to successful completion of the ARD program, a judge "shall order the expungement of the defendant's arrest record" absent any objection from the government. Pa. R. Crim. P. 320. The Rule 56 record does not indicate whether Holloway's 2002 DUI arrest record was expunged. (See Doc. 78 at 6). Nonetheless, Holloway's 2002 DUI arrest, and subsequent completion of the ARD program, constitutes a "prior offense" for purposes of "grading" future DUI offenses. See
We refer to Holloway's 2005 DUI conviction as a "second DUI offense at the highest rate of alcohol." This phrasing is used for clarity and ease of reference and is not meant to imply that his first DUI conviction was also at the highest rate of alcohol.
Defendants also moved to dismiss Holloway's claim for lack of Article III standing. (Doc. 61 at 10-12). In their reply, defendants acknowledge that Holloway "currently has standing to assert his claims." (Doc. 78 at 1 n.1). The court will therefore deny defendants' motion to dismiss.
The Binderup court provided no precise definition as to what constitutes a "cross-jurisdictional consensus." See Binderup,
In support of their position, defendants assert that "[f]orty-six states punish DUIs as felonies on a first or subsequent conviction." (Doc. 61 at 21). This statement is rather misleading. Not a single state punishes a first DUI offense as a felony, and only three states impose a maximum possible sentence greater than one year's imprisonment. (See Doc. 58-4 at 7-31); see also
Pennsylvania courts presume that the General Assembly is "familiar with extant [state] law" when enacting legislation. Com. v. Zortman,
Holloway argues in the alternative that strict scrutiny should be applied at step two of the Marzzarella -Binderup framework. (See Doc. 59 at 19). As noted supra , the felon-in-possession ban does not impact the core of the Second Amendment's protections, to wit: the right of "law-abiding, responsible citizens" to possess firearms for home defense. Binderup,
Holloway urges the court to reject the expert report due to various technical deficiencies including, inter alia , the absence of the author's signature and a list of the author's previous publications. (Doc. 72 at 2-3). No ascertainable, material prejudice accrued from these deficiencies, and we will therefore consider the report.
In the years following his second DUI conviction in 2005, Holloway obtained his bachelor's degree in psychology, worked as an educator with juveniles housed in a residential treatment center, and was not criminally convicted of any state or federal offense. (See Doc. 58-3 ¶¶ 8-12).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Raymond HOLLOWAY, Jr. v. Jefferson B. SESSIONS, III, Attorney General of the United States, Thomas E. Brandon, Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Christopher A. Wray, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States of America
- Cited By
- 5 cases
- Status
- Published