Criminal Use of a Firearm (Second Degree)

Committing a violent crime while possessing a loaded firearm or even displaying any firearm while committing a violent crime are serious felonies in New York, but the severity of the charges may depend on the type of other crime committed.

Criminal Use of a Firearm may be charged as an offense of the second degree or the first degree, depending on the type of violent crime committed. In many cases, the difference lies in whether the crime was merely attempted or actually carried out.

While both crimes impose a fine of up to $5,000 upon conviction, the real difference lies in the possible prison sentences. A second-degree charge of criminal use of a firearm under New York Penal Law, Article 265.08 is a Class C felony, with a maximum sentence of 15 years, while a first-degree charge of criminal use of a firearm under N.Y. P.L. § 265.09 is a Class B felony, with a maximum sentence of 25 years.

Attorneys for Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm in Manhattan

If you were arrested for second-degree criminal use of a weapon in Manhattan or any of the five boroughs of New York City, you are probably facing more than a gun charge, so you should contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Manhattan to assist you with the charges pending against you. A qualified attorney will be able to explain the charges and possible defenses that might apply.

At Greco Neyland, PC, we represent people arrested on felony criminal weapons charges. We take the time to investigate each case and mount an aggressive defense.

With Greco Neyland, PC as your advocate, you will have former prosecutors fighting on your behalf. We use our knowledge of criminal legal procedure to aggressively fight the charges against you. We represent clients in Manhattan (New York County), Brooklyn (Kings County), The Bronx, and the other boroughs of New York City. Call us today at (212) 951-1300 to schedule a free consultation.

Information about Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm

• Types of Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm Charges
• Definitions of Terms Related to Second Degree Criminal Use of a firearm
• Elements of Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm
• Penalties for Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm
• Resources Related to Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm

Back to top

Types of Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm Charges

New York Penal Law, Part 3, Title P, Article 265.08(1) states that a person is guilty of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree when that person:

• Commits any Class C Violent Felony Offense, and either:
  • Knowingly possesses a deadly weapon, if the weapon is a loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious injury may be discharged; or
  • Displays what appears to be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm.

Loaded Weapon

A person may be charged with second-degree criminal use of a firearm if he or she knowingly possesses a deadly weapon that is loaded while committing a Class C violent felony offense. The prosecution must prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the weapon was loaded.

Display of a Weapon

Alternately, a person may be charged with second-degree criminal use of a firearm if he or she displays what appears to be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm while committing a Class C violent felony offense.

The element that a person must display what appears to be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm does not require proof that the object displayed was actually any of those weapons.

What must be proved is that a person, during the commission of a Class C violent felony, consciously displayed, or manifested the presence of, something that could reasonably be perceived as a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm and that the person, to whom the item was displayed or manifested, perceived it as a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm. (See People v Lopez, 73 NY2d 214 (1989); People v Baskerville, 60 NY2d 374 (1983)).

Back to top

Definitions of Terms Related to Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm

Several key terms in the law are legally defined in the statutes, including Class C violent felony, possess, knowingly, serious physical injury, firearm, deadly weapon, and loaded weapon, as well as each of the weapons that are named.

According to N.Y. P.L. Part 2, Title E, Article 70.02(1)(b), Class C violent felony offenses include (with statute cited):

• An attempt to commit any of the (more serious) Class B felonies listed in N.Y. P.L. § 70.02(1)(a)
• Aggravated Criminally Negligent Homicide (§ 125.11)
• Aggravated Manslaughter in the second degree § 125.21)
• Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the second degree (§ 130.67)
• Assault on a Peace Officer, Police Officer, Fireman or Emergency Medical Services Professional (§ 120.08)
• Assault on a Judge (§ 120.09)
• Gang Assault in the second degree (§ 120.06)
• Strangulation in the first degree (§ 121.13)
• Burglary in the second degree (§ 140.25)
• Robbery in the second degree (§ 160.10)
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree (§ 265.03)
• Criminal Use of a Firearm in the second degree (§ 265.08)
• Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the second degree (§ 265.12)
• Criminal Sale of a Firearm with the aid of a minor (§ 265.14)
• Aggravated Criminal Possession of a Weapon (§ 265.19)
• Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the first degree (§ 490.15)
• Hindering Prosecution of Terrorism in the second degree (§ 490.30)
• Criminal Possession of a Chemical Weapon or Biological Weapon in the third degree (§ 490.37)

Under the law, “possess” means to have physical possession or otherwise to exercise dominion or control over tangible property. (N.Y. P.L. Part 1, Title A, Article 10.00(8)).

Possession may be “actual” or “constructive.” Actual possession occurs when the police discover a firearm on a person or his or her belongings and no one else has equal access to it. Constructive possession occurs when more than one person has access to a firearm, such as a firearm in a room or a vehicle when more than one person has access to it.

A person “knowingly” possesses a firearm when that person is “aware” that he or she is in possession of a firearm. (N.Y. P.L. Part 1, Title B, Article 15.05(2)).

“Serious physical injury” means “physical injury which creates a substantial risk of death or serious protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of health or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily organ.” (N.Y. P.L. § 10.00(10)).

A “firearm” is defined in N.Y. P.L. §265.00(3) as:

• Any pistol or revolver (weapons commonly known as handguns); or
• A shotgun having one or more barrels less than 18 inches in length; or
• A rifle having one or more barrels less than 16 inches in length; or
• Any weapon made from a shotgun or rifle whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise if such weapon as altered, modified, or otherwise has an overall length of less than 26 inches; or
• An assault weapon.

Each of the weapons listed above is defined in N.Y. P.L. § 265.00.

A “deadly weapon” means “any loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged …” (N.Y. P.L. § 10.00(12).

A “loaded weapon” means “any firearm loaded with ammunition which may be used to discharge such firearm (or any firearm which is possessed by one who, at the same time, possesses a quantity of ammunition which may be used to discharge such firearm).” (N.Y. P.L. § 265.00(15)). There is no requirement that the defendant knew the firearm was loaded at the time of possession. (See People v. Broomfield, 275 A.D.2d 885 (4 Dept. 2000); People v. Smith, 270 A.D.2d th 719 (3 Dept. 2000); People v. Toribio, 216 A.D.2d 189 (1 Dept. 1995)).

A gun does not need to be fired for a person to be charged under this law, but it must be loaded.

Back to top

Elements for Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm  

Each of the offenses under § 265.08 require a judge or jury to first determine if a Class C violent felony offense occurred before considering the issue of criminal use of a firearm.

Commission of a Violent Class C Felony while in Possession of a Deadly Weapon

In order for a defendant to be found guilty of a charge of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree (Commission of a Violent Class C Felony while in Possession of a Deadly Weapon) under N.Y. P.L. 265.08(1)(a), a judge or jury must find that a person, beyond a reasonable doubt:

• Committed any specific Class C violent felony on or about a certain date in a specific county; and
• Knowingly possessed a deadly weapon that was a loaded weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury may be discharged.

N.Y. P.L. §265.08(1)(a) applies to offenses committed on or after Aug. 12, 1980.

Commission of a Violent Class C Felony while Displaying a Weapon 

For a defendant to be found guilty of a charge of Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree (Display of a Weapon) under § 265.08(1)(b), a judge or jury must find that a person, beyond a reasonable doubt:

• Committed any specific Class C violent felony on or about a certain date in a specific county; and
• Displayed what appeared to be a pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, machine gun or other firearm.

N.Y. P.L. § 265.08(1)(b) applies to offenses committed on or after Aug. 12, 1980.

Back to top

Penalties for Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm

Criminal Possession of a Weapon under N.Y. P.L. 265.08 is a Class C felony in New York. A Class C felony is punishable upon conviction by a sentence of:

• Three-and-one-half to 15 years in prison; and/or
• A fine of up to $5,000

Back to top

Resources Related to Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm

New York Penal Law, Part 3, Title P, Article 265.08 — Read the New York State laws pertaining to criminal use of a firearm in the second degree.

Jury Instructions for Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree (Possession of a Deadly Weapon) — Visit the website of the New York State Unified Court System to find the standard criminal jury instructions (CJI) for Penal Law Offenses, including criminal use of a firearm in the second degree (possession of a deadly weapon) on or after Aug. 12, 1980.

Jury Instructions for Criminal Use of a Firearm in the Second Degree (Display of a Weapon) — Visit the website of the NYSUCS to find the standard criminal jury instructions (CJI) for Penal Law Offenses, including criminal use of a firearm in the second degree (display of a weapon) on or after Aug. 12, 1980.

Attorney for Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm in Manhattan

If you were arrested in New York City for Second Degree Criminal Use of a Firearm under N.Y. P.L. § 265.08, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.

The skilled criminal defense attorneys at Greco Neyland, PC are experienced in defending felony weapon use charges. We work with you during each stage of the case. We serve clients throughout the five boroughs of New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and The Bronx. Contact the dedicated lawyers at Greco Neyland, PC today by calling (212) 951-1300 to schedule a free consultation about your weapon charge and any other criminal charges pending against you.