Rhode Island Using or Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to Drug Trafficking or Crime of Violence, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c), is a federal law that prohibits the use or possession of a firearm in relation to certain criminal activities. This statute makes it a crime for a person to use or carry a firearm while committing, attempting to commit, or conspiring to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense. The crime of using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking or crime of violence is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. There are two types of violations of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c): 1) Possession of a Firearm During and in Relation to Drug Trafficking or Crime of Violence, and 2) Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to Drug Trafficking or Crime of Violence. In order to sustain a conviction for either violation, the prosecution must prove that the defendant used or carried a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense or crime of violence as defined in the statute.