Opinion ID: 160460
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Proof of a Firearm

Text: 43 The evidence at trial showed that a loaded .22 caliber handgun was found under the seat of the driver's side seat of the car being driven by Mr. Allen on August 16, 1998. Mr. Allen does not challenge the sufficiency of this evidence, but rather challenges the government's evidence that what was found was actually a firearm as defined in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3). Mr. Allen argues that, because Agent Laughrey only test fired the weapon with a blank, and testified as such at trial, there was no evidence that the weapon was capable of firing an actual projectile as required by statute. The argument is completely without merit. Agent Laughrey properly tested the weapon with a blank cartridge and subsequently testified at trial that the weapon was capable of firing a projectile. This evidence is sufficient.