People v. Brown

In the present case, the prosecutor charged defendant with a number of felonies, including possession of a firearm by a felon, MCL 750.224Í, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227b. When the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges, the circuit court declared a mistrial. Subsequently, the circuit court dismissed the felon in possession charge on the ground that defendant’s handgun was inoperable. The circuit court concluded, as a matter of law, that an inoperable handgun does not qualify as a “firearm” within the meaning of the felon in possession…