{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-4-204","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 4–204","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In this section, “firearm” means:\n(i) a weapon that expels, is designed to expel, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; or\n(ii) the frame or receiver of such a weapon.\n(2) “Firearm” includes an antique firearm, handgun, rifle, shotgun, short–barreled rifle, short–barreled shotgun, starter gun, or any other firearm, whether loaded or unloaded.\n(b) 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.\n(c) (1) (i) 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.\n(ii) 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.\n(2) 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.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=4-204","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"20dfa9f090711ca2b4e641d27f233ddacd22f48cb8220dd882350f813b6feba3","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-4-203","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-4-205"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}