October Term 2025 · Docket 24-5774
Can a person face two punishments for one fatal shooting under the gun laws?
The Supreme Court is deciding whether a gun-possession conviction and a murder conviction for the same fatal shooting count as two separate offenses under the Constitution's double jeopardy rule.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Barrett's lawyer argued the possession crime is a lesser-included offense of the murder crime, so the presumption against two punishments applies.
The government's lawyer argued the statutory text points toward allowing separate punishments for each offense.
Justice Kavanaugh asked whether the murder provision arrived later than the possession provision, noting the possession provision dates to 1971.
Justice Jackson pressed whether the dispute concerns two convictions for the same conduct rather than how sentences run.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-55 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-55
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
A robbery crew used guns to rob Gamar Dafalla. When he resisted, one of those guns was used to murder him. Prosecutors charged two crimes: possessing a gun during a violent crime, and using a gun to kill. A jury convicted on both. The question now is whether the Constitution allows two separate convictions for conduct tied to one shooting.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-15
How the case got here
The case arrived at the Supreme Court after lower courts allowed both convictions to stand. the side that brought the case, Matthew Larsen's client Barrett, argues the gun-possession crime is a lesser-included offense of the murder crime. Under the Blockburger rule, when one offense is included in another, courts presume Congress did not intend two punishments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-31
What each side wants
Barrett wants the Court to find the two convictions punish the same offense, so one conviction cannot stand alongside the other.
The government wants both convictions to stand, arguing the murder law and the possession law authorize separate punishments.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-15
What each side says
Barrett's side says the possession crime is a lesser-included offense of the murder crime, triggering the presumption against double punishment.
The government's side says the statutory text, structure, and history show Congress intended separate punishments for each crime.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-15
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked whether the entire possession offense is a lesser-included offense of the murder offense.
Justice Jackson asked whether double jeopardy bars two convictions for the same conduct, not whether sentences can run concurrently.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-55 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-55
Why it matters
The ruling will shape how federal prosecutors charge gun crimes arising from a single violent act, and whether one shooting can support both a possession conviction and a murder conviction.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-15
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 15-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 15-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 45-55 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 45-55
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 37-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 37-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 11-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 11-17 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 11-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 43-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 43-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-51 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 49-55 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 49-55
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 37, lines 13-29 — Transcript, file page 37, lines 13-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-51 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 37-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 37-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 19-15 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 19-15
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.