<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="4-204" title_number="4" title_name="Weapon Crimes" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Handguns">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section, “firearm” means:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>a weapon that expels, is designed to expel, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>the frame or receiver of such a weapon.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Firearm” includes an antique firearm, handgun, rifle, shotgun, short–barreled rifle, short–barreled shotgun, starter gun, or any other firearm, whether loaded or unloaded.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>A person may not use a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, as defined in § 5–101 of the Public Safety Article, or any felony, whether the firearm is operable or inoperable at the time of the crime.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <level label="i">
        <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, in addition to any other penalty imposed for the crime of violence or felony, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 5 years and not exceeding 20 years.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The court may not impose less than the minimum sentence of 5 years and, except as otherwise provided in § 4–305 of the Correctional Services Article, the person is not eligible for parole in less than 5 years.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>For each subsequent violation, the sentence shall be consecutive to and not concurrent with any other sentence imposed for the crime of violence or felony.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
