1. a. A person who knowingly takes or attempts to exercise unlawful control over a firearm or other weapon in the possession of a law enforcement or corrections officer when that officer is acting in the performance of his duties, and either is in uniform or exhibits evidence of his authority, is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
b. A person violating the provisions of subsection a. of this section shall be guilty of a crime of the first degree if:
(1) The person fires or discharges the firearm;
(2) The person uses or threatens to use the firearm or weapon against the officer or any other person; or
(3) The officer or another person suffers serious bodily injury.