La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 893.3 — LA Code / Code code-of-criminal-procedure / Article 893.3
Sentence imposed on felony or specifically enumerated misdemeanor in which firearm was possessed, used, or discharged
Status: in_force

A. If the finder of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt or a plea agreement is reached that includes a stipulation pursuant to Article 893.2(B) that the offender actually possessed a firearm during the commission of the felony or specifically enumerated misdemeanor for which he was convicted, the court shall impose a term of imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than the maximum term of imprisonment provided for the underlying offense; however, if the maximum sentence for the underlying offense is less than two years, the court shall impose the maximum sentence.

B. If the finder of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt or a plea agreement is reached that includes a stipulation pursuant to Article 893.2(B) that the offender actually used a firearm in the commission of the felony or specifically enumerated misdemeanor for which he was convicted, the court shall impose a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than the maximum term of imprisonment provided for the underlying offense; however, if the maximum sentence for the underlying offense is less than five years, the court shall impose the maximum sentence.

C. If the finder of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt or a plea agreement is reached that includes a stipulation pursuant to Article 893.2(B) that the offender actually discharged a firearm in the commission of the felony or specifically enumerated misdemeanor for which he was convicted, the court shall impose a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years nor more than the maximum term of imprisonment provided for the underlying offense; however, if the maximum sentence for the underlying offense is less than ten years, the court shall impose the maximum sentence.

D. If the finder of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt or a plea agreement is reached that includes a stipulation pursuant to Article 893.2(B) that a firearm was actually used or discharged by the defendant during the commission of the felony for which he was convicted, and thereby caused bodily injury, the court shall impose a term of imprisonment of not less than fifteen years nor more than the maximum term of imprisonment provided for the underlying offense; however, if the maximum sentence for the underlying felony is less than fifteen years, the court shall impose the maximum sentence.

E.(1)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, if the finder of fact has determined or a plea agreement is reached that includes a stipulation pursuant to Article 893.2(B) that the defendant committed a felony with a firearm as provided in this Article, and the crime is considered a violent felony as defined in this Paragraph, the court shall impose a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than ten years nor more than the maximum term of imprisonment provided for the underlying offense. In addition, if the firearm is discharged during the commission of such a violent felony, the court shall impose a minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty years nor more than the maximum term of imprisonment provided for the underlying offense.

(b) A "violent felony" for the purposes of this Paragraph is: second degree sexual battery, aggravated burglary, carjacking, armed robbery, second degree kidnapping, manslaughter, or forcible or second degree rape.

(2) A sentence imposed under this Paragraph shall be without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

F. A sentence imposed under the provisions of this Article shall not be suspended and shall be imposed in the same manner as provided in the felony for which the defendant was convicted.

G. A defendant sentenced under the provisions of this Article shall not be eligible for parole during the period of the mandatory minimum sentence.

H. If the court finds that a sentence imposed under provisions of this Article would be excessive, the court shall state for the record the reasons for such finding and shall impose the most severe sentence which is not excessive.

I. For the purpose of this Article, "firearm" is defined as an instrument used in the propulsion of shot, shell, or bullets by the action of gunpowder exploded within.

J. For purposes of this Article, the specifically enumerated misdemeanors to which these sentencing provisions are applicable shall be:

(1) R.S. 14:79, violation of a protective order, involving an assault or battery of the person protected.

(2) R.S. 14:67, theft.

(3) R.S. 14:35, simple battery.

(4) R.S. 14:37, aggravated assault.

(5) R.S. 14:40.2, stalking.

(6) R.S. 14:35.3, domestic abuse battery.

Acts 1988, No. 319, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 41, §1; Acts 1999, No. 575, §1; Acts 2004, No. 676, §3; Acts 2007, No. 41, §1; Acts 2015, No. 184, §6; Acts 2019, No. 326, §1, eff. June 11, 2019; Acts 2025, No. 52, §1, eff. June 4, 2025.