Defendant Dustin Farrow pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with bank robbery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). He was sentenced to sixty-three months in prison to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. On appeal, Mr. Farrow complains that the district court erred in determining his sentence under the United States Sentencing Guidelines by finding him to have possessed a dangerous weapon during the robbery. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742, and we affirm. 1
I. Background
On October 30, 2000, Mr. Farrow approached the counter of a branch of the Bank of Oklahoma located inside a grocery store. When he reached the counter, he told the teller, “give me all the money, set it on the counter” and, “don’t try anything funny. Don’t make a scene or I’ll do something reckless.” R., Vol. 2, at 3. At
After a swift investigation, the FBI confronted Mr. Farrow and questioned him about his role in the robbery. At that time, Mr. Farrow confessed to the robbery and, although he denied possessing a gun, he admitted “he did have his hand in his pocket as if he had one.” Id. at 5. On December 12, 2000, Mr. Farrow pled guilty to one count of bank robbery under 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). 2
Relying on the 2000 edition of the United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines Manual (USSG or guidelines), the probation officer recommended a base offense level of twenty for the robbery, and also recommended a three-level upward adjustment pursuant to USSG § 2B3.1(b)(2)(E) because “the defendant led the teller to believe he was in possession of a firearm during the course of [the] robbery.” R. Vol. 2 at 6. 3 The district court overruled Mr. Farrow’s objections to that enhancement and imposed the sentence based on the probation officer’s recommendations. In making its determination, the district court also made specific reference to the 2000 guidelines, as well as to an amendment contained in that version of the guidelines affecting the commentary to both § 2B3.1(b)(2)(E) (the specific offense characteristic guideline enhancement applied to Mr. Farrow) and § 1B1.1 (application instructions). That amendment, known as Amendment 601, became effective November 1, 2000, one day after Mr. Farrow committed the robbery, and altered the definition of “dangerous weapon” under that commentary. On appeal, Mr. Farrow argues the district court violated the Ex Post Facto Clause of the U.S. Constitution by applying the 2000 guidelines, as amended, to his offense. Additionally, Mr. Farrow claims the enhancement itself is unsupported by the evidence, arguing a concealed hand cannot be a “dangerous weapon” for purposes of the guidelines.
“We review the district court’s legal interpretation- and application of the guidelines de novo.”
United States v. Henry,
II. Amendment 601
Under the 1998 version of the guidelines, the base offense level for robbery could be enhanced upon the application of the following specific offense characteristics:
(A) If a firearm was discharged, increase by 7 levels; (B) if a firearm was otherwise used, increase by 6 levels; (C) if a firearm was brandished, displayed, or possessed, increase by 5 levels; (D) if a dangerous weapon was otherwise used, increase by 4 levels; (E) if a dangerous weapon was brandished, displayed, or possessed, increase by 3 levels; or (F) if a threat of death was made, increase by 2 levels.
USSG § 2B3.1(b)(2) (1998). Application note one under the commentary to that section states that the term “dangerous weapon” is defined in the commentary to USSG § 1B1.1 (application instructions). In 1998, that commentary defined a dangerous weapon as “an instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury. Where an object that appeared to be a dangerous weapon was brandished, displayed, or possessed, treat the object as a dangerous weapon.” Id. § 1B1.1, cmt. n. 1(d). In addition, application note two to the commentary under USSG § 2B3.1 reiterated the second line of that general definition stating that “[wjhen an object that appeared to be a dangerous weapon was brandished, displayed, or possessed, treat the object as a dangerous weapon for the purposes of subsection (b)(2)(E).” Id. § 2B3.1, cmt. n. 2 (1998).
Effective November 1, 2000, the commentary to both sections 1B1.1 and 2B3.1 was amended. Amendment 601 stated in pertinent part:
The Commentary to § 1B1.1 captioned “Application Notes” is amended in Note 1 by striking subdivision (d) in its entirety and inserting the following: “(d) ‘Dangerous weapon’ means (i) an instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury; or (ii) an object that is not an instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury but (I) closely resembles such an instrument; or (II) the defendant used the object in a manner that created the impression that the object was such an instrument {e.g . a defendant wrapped a hand in a towel during a bank robbery to create the appearance of a gun).”
The Commentary to § 2B3.1 captioned “Application Notes” is amended by striking Note 2 in its entirety and inserting the following: “2. Consistent with Application Note l(d)(ii) of § 1B1.1 (Application Instructions), an object shall be considered to be a dangerous weapon for purposes of subsection (b)(2)(E) if (A) the object closely resembles an instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury; or (B) the defendant used the object in a manner that created the impression that the object was an instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury {e.g., a defendant wrapped a hand in a towel during a bank robbery to create the appearance of a gun).”
USSG App. C Supp., amend. 601 (2001).
In the section titled “Reason for Amendment,” the Sentencing Commission wrote that the definition of “dangerous weapon” was amended
to clarify under what circumstances an object that is not an actual, dangerous weapon should be treated as one for purposes of guideline application. The amendment is in accord with the decisions in United States v. Shores,966 F.2d 1383 (11th Cir.1992) (toy gun carried but never used by a defendant qualifies as a dangerous weapon because of its potential, if it were used, to arouse fear in victims and dangerous reactions by police or security personnel) and United States v. Dixon,982 F.2d 116 (3d Cir.1992) (hand wrapped in a towel qualifies as a dangerous weapon if the defendant’s actions created the impressionthat the defendant possessed a dangerous weapon).
Id. at 75.
It is clear from the pre-sentence investigation report that the probation officer relied on the 2000 edition of the guidelines, as amended, in making his initial recommendation for a three-level enhancement for Mr. Farrow’s possession of a dangerous weapon during the robbery. 4 Moreover, it is evident from the hearing transcript that the district court also considered Amendment 601 in determining that Mr. Farrow created the impression of possessing a dangerous weapon during the robbery. Mr. Farrow now argues that Amendment 601 changed the substance of the guidelines such that the district court’s application of it to him violated his constitutional rights.
III. Ex Post Facto Claim
A defendant is ordinarily sentenced under the guidelines in effect on the date of sentencing.
United States v. Kissick,
In making this determination, we have stated “[a] variety of factors may be considered, including the Commission’s characterization of the amendment, whether
As to the third factor, “this Circuit has held that an amendment that effectively overrules existing precedent should be classified as substantive rather than clarifying.”
Kissick,
Moreover, Amendment 601 is neither impermissibly retrospective nor disadvantageous as applied to Mr. Farrow in this case. For purposes of the Ex Post Facto Clause, “[a] law is retrospective if it ‘changes the legal consequences of acts completed before its effective date.’ ”
Miller,
IV. Possession of a Dangerous Weapon
Mr. Farrow next argues that under either the 1998 or the amended 2000 version of USSG § 2B3.1(b)(2), there is insufficient evidence to support a three-level upward adjustment in his base offense level. Specifically, he argues “the application of the adjustment requires, at a minimum, the perpetrator have in his possession an ‘object.’ Moreover, that ‘object’ must, at a minimum, be capable of creating the appearance of a gun.” Aplt. Br. at 11. Consequently, Mr. Farrow argues that his hand, placed in his pocket so as to give the impression that he possessed a dangerous weapon during the robbery, cannot be an object sufficient to trigger the upward adjustment. We agree with Mr. Farrow that, under both versions of the guidelines, the plain language of the commentary to USSG §§ 2B3.1 and 1B1.1 necessarily requires some “object” to support a finding of possession of a dangerous weapon. Nevertheless, we do not accept his conclusion that a concealed hand can never be that object.
Given the definition of “dangerous weapon,” as that term is clarified by Amendment 601, it is unmistakable that the United States Sentencing Commission intends a more expansive reading of the word “object” than Mr. Farrow urges in this appeal. Since 1989, when the Commission first defined “dangerous weapon” to include objects even if they only
appeared
capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury,
6
this circuit and others have interpreted the term broadly.
See, e.g., Pool,
The Third Circuit was the first to consider whether a hand could be an object for purposes of the definition of the term “dangerous weapon” under the guidelines. In
Dixon,
Finally, the Fourth Circuit has also held that “a concealed hand may serve as an object that appears to be a dangerous weapon.”
United States v. Souther,
In Vincent, the concealed hand appeared to be a dangerous weapon because it was pressed into the victim’s side. In Dixon, the concealed hand appeared to be a dangerous weapon because it was draped with a towel. In the instant case, the concealed hand appeared to be a dangerous weapon because Souther presented a note that stated he had a gun.
The instant case presents a twist, however, in that the hand was not given the visual appearance of a gun (e.cj., Souther did not extend his finger inside his pocket in order to make his hand look like a gun). Neither did Souther wave his concealed hand around or press it into someone’s side. Nevertheless, we decline to restrict the meaning of the word “appear” to visual or sensorial appearances. Souther’s hand appeared to be a dangerous weapon because it was concealed in his coat pocket and because he told the teller via the note that he possessed a gun.
Id. at 629-30.
Cases applying a less restrictive approach in determining what object can appropriately be considered a “dangerous weapon” under the guidelines are uniformly predicated on the underlying policy that even the perception of a dangerous weapon has the potential to add significantly to the danger of injury or death. As stated by the Third Circuit:
Even though [the bank robber] did not possess an actual weapon underneath the concealing towel, her actions created a reasonable belief that she had a gun. Police responding to the crime or the victims of the crime could easily have retaliated violently because of the, immediate threat they perceived. During the course of a robbery, people confronted with what they believe to be a dangerous weapon often find their perception impaired because of fear and the threat of violence. That perceived fear and threat can itself trigger a violent and even deadly response.
Dixon,
This policy is compelling, and it is not eroded by subsequent amendment to the guidelines that now defines an object as a
We now turn to the facts of this particular case to determine whether Mr. Farrow’s concealed hand either closely resembled or created the impression of a dangerous weapon. The district court found that Mr. Farrow’s hand did, indeed, create that impression and we will overturn that finding only if it is clearly erroneous.
See United States v. Archuletta,
Mr. Farrow argues that the district court, in addressing this question, improperly used a subjective standard for assessing the evidence, looking only to the perception of the victim-teller to determine whether Mr. Farrow possessed a dangerous weapon. Mr. Farrow cites the Seventh Circuit’s decision in
Hart,
urging us to adopt an objective standard which would inquire “whether a reasonable person, under the circumstances of the robbery, would have regarded the object that the defendant brandished, displayed or possessed as a dangerous weapon.”
Hart,
Contrary to Mr. Farrow’s arguments, the district court did not make its findings solely on the basis of the teller’s observation. Instead, the court applied the three-level enhancement to Mr. Farrow based on his actions and language at the scene, which included demands for money and threats. Moreover, the court also considered Mr. Farrow’s admission to FBI investigators that “he did not have a gun, but did have his hand in his pocket as if he had one .” R., Yol. 2 at 5. These facts satisfy us that the district court assessed the evidence in light of the proper standard and that its findings were not based solely on the victim’s subjective perception. These findings are adequately supported in the record, and we conclude that they are not clearly erroneous.
Y. Double Counting Claim
Finally, in arguing that the facts do not support an upward adjustment for possession of a dangerous weapon, Mr. Farrow also claims the application of the sentence enhancement to his base offense level for robbery has resulted in impermissible double counting. We disagree. Section 2113(a) of Title 18 of the United States Code punishes anyone who, “by force and violence, or by intimidation, takes ... money or any other thing of value belonging to ... any bank....” An enhancement based on possession of a dangerous weapon under 2B3.1(b)(2)(E)
The judgment of the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma is AFFIRMED.
Notes
. After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined unanimously to grant the parties' request for a decision on the briefs without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(f); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.
. Title 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) provides a maximum twenty-year sentence for "[wjhoever, by force and violence, or by intimidation, takes, or attempts to take ... any property or money or any other thing of value [from] any bank.” Subsection (d) enhances the statutory penalty hy five years if, in committing an offense under § 2113(a), the accused "assaults any person, or puts in jeopardy the life of any person by the use of a dangerous weapon or device.” Id. § 2113(d).
. Mr. Farrow's base offense level was also raised two levels for taking the property of a financial institution, USSG § 2B3.1(b)(1), but it was lowered a total of three levels for accepting responsibility for his offense under USSG § 3E1.1(a),(b)(2). Given this adjusted base offense level of 22, combined with his criminal history category IV, Mr. Farrow faced an imprisonment range of 63 to 78 months. Elimination of the three-level enhancement for possessing a dangerous weapon would lower Mr. Farrow's sentencing range to 46 to 57 months.
. Paragraph 21 of the pre-sentence investigation report enhanced Mr. Farrow's base offense three levels under § 2B3.1(b)(2)(E) for possession of a "firearm.” R., Vol. 2 at 6. While the probation officer's use of the term "firearm” is inconsistent with subsection (E) of § 2B3.1(b)(2) (which instead refers to a "dangerous weapon”) the error was not prejudicial to Mr. Farrow, as the proper guideline subsection was cited and the appropriate three-level enhancement was ultimately applied. Furthermore, responding to Mr. Farrow's objections to the pre-sentence recommendations, the probation officer confined his analysis to the definition of "dangerous weapon” as applied to subsection (E), rather than to the technical definition of "firearm” in other guideline subsections. R., Vol. 2 at 17.
. Article I of the United States Constitution provides that "no ... ex post facto law shall be passed.” U.S. Const, art. I, § 9, cl. 3. "[T]o fall within the
ex post facto
prohibition, two critical elements must be present: first, the law 'must be retrospective, that is, it must apply to events occurring before its enactment'; and second, 'it must disadvantage the offender affected by it.’ "
Miller v. Florida,
. Before November 1, 1989, the definition of a dangerous weapon was limited to "an instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury." USSG § 1B1.1, cmt. n. 1(d) (1988). Amendment 71 to the guidelines added the language "[w]here an object that appeared to be a dangerous weapon was brandished, displayed, or possessed, treat the object as a dangerous weapon.” USSG App. C, amend. 71 (effective Nov. 1, 1989). Amendment 110 added the same language to § 2B3.1, USSG App C Supp., amend. 110 (effective Nov. 1, 1989).
. Such a standard, combining objective and subjective factors, is consistent with our standard to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to support a finding of "intimidation” for purposes of the underlying robbery statute.
See United States v. Mitchell,
