Commonwealth v. Zortman

OPINION

Chief Justice CASTILLE.

The issue in this appeal is whether an inoperable handgun may be considered a “firearm” for purposes of mandatory minimum sentencing under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9712.1 (“Sentences for certain drug offenses committed with firearms”). The Superior Court held that the handgun involved in this case was indeed a “firearm” for purposes of sentence enhancement pursuant to Section 9712.1. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.

On May 24, 2006, state narcotics agents went to the Clear-field County residence of appellant and her boyfriend, Robert Prisk, who had been the subject…