West Palm Beach Weapons Offenses Lawyer
The Second Amendment may protect your right to keep and bear arms. But that right still comes with several caveats. Indeed, even in a state known for its gun-friendly laws like Florida, there are a number of weapons offenses that can still land you in serious trouble.
Indeed, many weapons cases are tried as felonies, so you must be prepared to defend yourself in court. An experienced West Palm Beach weapons offenses lawyer can provide you with invaluable guidance and representation. At the Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A., we handle cases involving a wide variety of firearms and other weapons charges, and we can help you figure out the best legal strategy for dealing with your case.
Who Can Legally Carry a Gun in Florida?
Florida permits an individual to carry a concealed firearm on their person after obtaining a license. This means that if you have a permit, you can carry a gun but not in public view. While it is permissible to “briefly and openly display the firearm to the ordinary sight of another person,” you cannot otherwise publicly display even a licensed firearm unless you are using the weapon in self-defense. Put another way, just because you have the right to carry a gun, it is still a crime to brandish or threaten people with it.
There are also certain individuals who may not legally possess or carry a firearm. Notably, a convicted felon cannot keep or own a firearm, even in their own household for self-defense. This means that if you have a felony record, you can be arrested simply for having a gun–or even just ammunition–in your home or vehicle, even if you do not carry it in public. And under Florida law, there is a mandatory jail sentence of 3 years for any felon caught in possession of a weapon.
As noted above, you can also be charged with a crime if you brandish a weapon publicly. It is also a crime to use a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You can also be charged if you furnish a weapon to a minor or even leave a gun in a place that is accessible to a minor.
Additionally, there are a number of laws governing the sale or exchange of firearms. As a private seller, you do not have to conduct criminal background checks on a potential buyer of your guns. But it is illegal to sell a weapon to someone if you know they are not legally allowed to own a weapon. Among other things, this means you do not check identification to ensure they are at least 21 years old.
Contact the Law Office of Scott N. Richardson Today
On top of the various crimes involving the possession or sale of weapons, anytime a firearm is used in the commission of a violent crime, such as a homicide or robbery, that can elevate the potential charges and penalties. This reiterates the importance of working with a skilled West Palm Beach weapons offenses lawyer anytime you are involved in a gun-related prosecution. Contact the Law Office of Scott N. Richardson, P.A., today if you need to speak with an attorney right away.
