US rapper Lil' Wayne will go on trial on April 20th on gun charges, a New York judge has said.

The rapper, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, faces one count of criminal weapons possession and one charge of possession of a loaded weapon.

Carter was allegedly found trying to conceal a bag contain a .9mm handgun when police boarded his tour bus in July 2007.

At a pre-trial hearing in September, police officer Diane Hornung said she also discovered a man attempting to flush marijuana down the toilet.

Lil' Wayne's lawyer, Stacey Richman, argued that the case should be dropped because the police officer stopped the bus “without probable cause”.

Carter, who was dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans during an appearance at New York State Supreme Court yesterday (February 24th), was told jury selection would begin following his current US tour.

If convicted, the rapper faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

(by Jason Gregory)