Fight Charges for Illegal Possession of Firearms
The right to bear arms is a fundamental principle of American freedom. However, many state and federal laws limit who can own guns. They also explicitly dictate when someone can lose their gun ownership rights, such as after doing time as a convicted felon or when facing domestic violence charges. When law enforcement comes to suspect that someone continues to own or use firearms despite losing this right, that individual may face charges for the illegal possession of firearms.
What Is the Illegal Possession of Firearms?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, this crime occurs when a prohibited person has or receives ammunition or a weapon. Illegal possession of firearms may also occur when someone has certain types of firearms. If convicted of the illegal possession of firearms, the individual may face heavy fines, imprisonment, probation, or parole. The person may also permanently lose the right to own firearms. Most likely, this individual will need a criminal defense attorney.
Who Should Legally Not Own Firearms?
Every state sets rules regarding who may own a firearm and what actions may disqualify them. For instance, in California and many other states, people with serious mental health problems may lose the right to own guns. Below are categories the Department of Justice considers prohibited individuals:
- Convicted felons and persons awaiting trial for felonies
- Individuals who test positive for the use of illegal drugs
- Individuals with prior convictions related to domestic violence
- Former military personnel who received a dishonorable discharge
- Individuals who have domestic restraining orders against them
- Individuals who flee a state to avoid arrest or avoid testifying in criminal proceedings
- Immigrants who do not have visas for permanent residence
Federal agents only become involved when the prohibited person transports the ammunition or firearms across state lines. However, many states have laws in place that make it possible to prosecute people matching many of the above descriptions and more if they are in possession of a weapon.
What Are Some Types of Firearms That Are Considered Illegal?
Some firearms may be considered illegal regardless of who has them. These include the following:
- Firearms obtained through illegal means
- Firearms with no serial numbers
- Unregistered firearms
There are also some types of firearms that are illegal for most civilians to possess, even people who are licensed to own and use other weapons in their home states. These include the following:
- Silencers and guns with silencers
- Shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches long
- Machine guns or other automatic weapons
What Should Someone Do When Accused of the Illegal Possession of Firearms?
If law enforcement officers accuse you of the illegal possession of firearms, it is important to take this threat seriously. When officers have enough evidence, they may make an arrest. If they do not, they may not do more than give warnings or make threats. Your attorney will review the specifics of your case to determine how to proceed and to figure out ways of securing your freedom. These are some steps your attorney may advise you to follow:
1. Restrict Communication
Law enforcement can turn even your most faithful allies against you, so it is important to be mindful of what you say to others about the incident. Even if you did not commit the crime you are accused of, words taken out of context may make it appear otherwise. You should also be mindful of what you post on social media. Many attorneys may ask you to stop posting or even to privatize and delete accounts.
2. Provide Evidence
Your attorney may need to get up to speed with the information that law enforcement officers have against you. A good attorney considers the evidence provided by prosecutors and your own testimony before deciding how to proceed. Your attorney may then decide to fight to prove your innocence if the case goes to court. In cases where the evidence against you is overwhelming, your attorney may recommend pleading guilty.
3. Go To Trial
Not all accusations or arrests lead to trial. Sometimes, police officers may find the right person they are looking for or cannot find enough evidence to pursue the case. If it does go to trial, an experienced attorney can argue your case to improve your chances of remaining a free person. The severity of the charges you face depends on whether you are also accused of using the illegally possessed firearm to commit a crime, the applicable state laws, and whether you carried the firearm into another state.
Why Should Accused Persons Work With an Experienced Local Lawyer?
No matter how pro-Second Amendment a state or municipality is, everywhere takes the illegal possession of firearms seriously. There have been a few cases where local district courts ruled in favor of accused parties and later had these rulings overturned by the Supreme Court. Some jurisdictions may also feel biased toward protecting certain demographics over others. This may lead to an unequal application of the law in terms of arrests, convictions, and sentencing.
People with prior convictions may also face a tougher uphill battle when it comes to clearing their names. Even if the person is innocent, the more prior strikes the person has against him or her, the less likely courts are to consider that the individual turned over a new leaf. This can sway juries and send even innocent people to prison.
Hiring a good attorney does not guarantee you will never spend a night behind bars. It does help ensure that you have a professional in your corner committed to exhausting every available option to secure your freedom or earn you a lighter sentence. An experienced attorney can also advise you on how local and supreme courts tend to rule on the matter presented and what outcomes you can expect.
Work With An Experienced Local Lawyer
Finding a good criminal defense attorney may feel like a stressful task to tackle when you are concerned about your future and your freedom. We can simplify the process by matching you with a good attorney in your area.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations. Contact Aaron at [email protected] for article suggestions, collaborations, or inquiries.
