Detroit Firearms Lawyer
There’s a reason that the right to bear arms comes second only to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly in the Bill of Rights. Americans going all the way back to the Founding Fathers take the rights and responsibilities of gun ownership seriously. It’s one of the fundamental rights we hold, but also can be one of the most controversial.
Conversations about gun rights go back decades. The modern era of restrictions and reforms to gun rights started in the 1980s, with the attempted assassination of President Reagan and the subsequent enactment of the Brady Act by Congress in the wake of the serious injuries to Reagan staffer James Brady, who was shot in the assassination attempt. There has been push and pull on gun rights over the years, particularly in the wake of mass shootings in recent years in Aurora, Colorado, Tucson, Arizona, Newtown, Connecticut, and other places.
While there are some federal laws in place regarding guns and gun rights, states also have enacted their own laws about when residents can carry guns, whether they can carry concealed guns, who is allowed to own guns, and what kinds of guns residents can legally possess. Michigan has more than three dozen statutes under the “Firearms” section of the Michigan Penal Code addressing those very types of questions with relation to guns and other types of weapons.
With so many laws on the books, it can be a challenge for gun owners to keep all of the rules and regulations straight — but if you’re a gun owner who runs afoul of one of those laws, you may find yourself facing a criminal charge. Firearms charges can be serious legal matters. Many are felony offenses, and the potential consequences of conviction may include:
- A jail or prison sentence
- Payment of costly fines and court costs
- Loss of your gun ownership rights
- A permanent criminal record that can cost your job or career
- Suspension or revocation of a professional license to teach, practice nursing, pharmacy, medicine, law, or another profession
- Changes to your immigration status if you’re not an American citizen, including loss of your immigration visa or green card, denial of your citizenship application, or deportation to your native country
When you face a firearms or weapons charge, a skilled Michigan firearms lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and determine the best way to fight the charge. It’s important to have someone by your side in court with a thorough knowledge of Michigan’s firearms and weapons laws and how they apply to your situation, as well as how prosecutors and judges in the court where your charge is pending are likely to approach cases like yours.
Common Michigan Firearms Charges
Michigan has numerous statutes regulating the use, possession, manufacturing and sales of firearms, and defining criminal offenses with regard to firearms. A few of the most common weapons charges seen in Detroit area courts include:
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon — It’s a felony in Michigan to carry a concealed pistol on your body or in your vehicle, unless you have a carry license.
- Illegal Possession of a Firearm — It’s a felony offense in Michigan to possess certain kinds of firearms, firearm modifications, and ammunition. If convicted, you may be sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence and thousands of dollars in fines.
- Felons in Possession of Firearms — People who have felony convictions on their records are prohibited from possessing firearms unless they’ve met all conditions to have their rights restored. Illegal possession of a firearm by someone with a felony conviction is a separate felony offense that can result in years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
Knowledgeable Defense For Your Weapons Charge With a Detroit Firearms Lawyer
If you or a family member has been charged with a firearms or weapons offense, the experienced Detroit firearms lawyers at Drias Law Group PLLC are committed to fighting to preserve your 2nd Amendment rights as a gun owner, and to work aggressively to get the best possible outcome for your case.
We have experience with weapons offenses on both sides of the criminal process — both prosecution and defense — which puts us in a strong position to be able to defend you. We know the law and we know how prosecutors think. Let us put our experience to work for you.
For more information about how we might be able to help you in a criminal firearms or weapons case, contact us for a free legal consultation with a Detroit firearms lawyer at Drias Law Group PLLC.
Charged with a firearm offense? Contact us today.
Your initial consultation will always be free and confidential. Call (313) 944-0236 today or fill out the form below and we will help you.
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