Weapon and Firearm Offenses

Weapon offenses refer to violations of laws that control deadly weapons. Deadly weapons refer to guns, explosives, silencers, and certain knives, among others. If you have been arrested or questioned about a weapons or firearms charge contact our Florida criminal defense attorneys today.

Weapon offenses are those that result in physical harm to another person. They can be classified into violent crimes and forms of homicide.

If the physical harm to another person is so severe that it causes death, the offender may be charged with first-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or vehicular homicide. Other weapon offenses which are also very critical include:

• Trafficking of weapons
• Use of a firearm to commit an offense
• Pointing a firearm
• Possessing a gun for a dangerous purpose
• Possession of a restricted firearm
• Crimes committed with a firearm

Possessing a Prohibited Weapon

While the constitution provides the right to own a gun, not every citizen is entitled to own a gun, and not every weapon can be sold to the ordinary citizen.

However, anyone who owns a weapon that is expressly prohibited by the state of Florida can be charged with the possession of a prohibited weapon. Contact our firearms & weapon defense lawyer with questions.

Possession

To prove possession, the prosecutor must prove that you had control of the weapon.

Weapons

In Florida, the possession of the following weapons is illegal: machine guns and short-barreled rifles or shotguns. Besides, the law regulates the use of silencers and guns designed to resemble something else, with an excellent example being cane guns.

Exceptions

Although the Florida gun laws prohibit openly carrying a gun without a license, there are several exceptions including:

• Having a firearm at a person’s home or business premises
• Enrolled club members for target, trapshooting, or skeet
• Persons firing weapons while undergoing target practice in a secure indoor range
• Individuals carrying out hunting, fishing, or camping while coming from or going to such an exercise
• People tasked with the manufacture, repair, and dealership of firearms
• Employed law enforcement personnel

Penalties for weapon and firearm offenses

In Florida, violation of the laws that regulate the possession of weapons may include:

• Fines
• Forfeiture of the weapons
• Limited possession of any weapons in future
• Jail term

The sentences meted out for possessing prohibited weapons vary widely from case to case.

Why You Need a Firearms & Weapon Defense Lawyer

While being charged with a weapon offense may seem like a minor offense, it always pays to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney if you face a criminal charge.

Even where you believe you are not guilty of a weapon offense and do not think you can be convicted, it is important to speak to an attorney to receive competent legal advice about the options you could be having.

Only an experienced weapon & firearm offense lawyer will know how to properly navigate your case and provide legal information based on law and facts.

Why Choose Shrader Law?

We have represented thousands of defendants in Florida. Contact a qualified defense lawyer today by calling 813-360-1529 for a free consultation.