People v. Hill

We granted leave to appeal in these cases to decide whether two defendants can be charged with possession of one short-barreled shotgun contrary to MCL 750.224b; MSA 28.421(2), when each defendant had in his possession one of the two component parts that comprised the short-barreled shotgun.

We find that possession of a prohibited firearm is not limited to actual possession, but may include both constructive possession, and joint possession by defendants acting in concert. Further, we find that the fact that a firearm is temporarily inoperable does not preclude prosecution for its possession…