Gun, firearm, and weapon crimes have been on the rise across the United States lately. These crimes exhibit violence, which is why they are subject to very strict and unforgiving prosecution in criminal court at state and federal level. Any crime that is committed while using a gun, loaded firearm, or prohibited weapon automatically becomes a felony. Being armed or equipped with a dangerous weapon counts as an aggravating factor because it makes an offense more dangerous.

The U.S Constitution’s 2nd Amendment grants every citizen the right to own and carry a gun, but this privilege has given rise to major controversies in recent times. Regulations for the possession and use of all sorts of arms have been revised in order to get the situation under control. Every citizen has to abide by certain restrictions if they wish to purchase, carry, and use a permitted weapon. Misuse of guns and firearms are associated with immense collateral damage; these violations lead to severe sentences if the alleged offender is convicted.

If you are wrongfully accused or charged with a gun crime, you need someone like Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney on your side. You need an attorney who is willing to represent you in court and fight till the end.

Common Gun, Firearm, and Weapon Crimes

1. Carrying an Unlicensed Firearm

You cannot own, purchase, or carry any weapon without acquiring the necessary license or permit first. You are not even allowed to keep an unlicensed gun at your home or at the workplace. Violation of this rule may land you in prison for up to 2 years. It is doesn’t matter if the unlicensed weapon is small in size, unloaded, or never actually used. If you need a gun for safety or self-defense, acquire it through the proper channel and legal procedure.

2. Carrying a Gun at a Public Place

Carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun on public property is highly risky, as someone could get hurt by accident. A public area can be defined as any area that is densely populated by adults and/or children; this includes roads, streets, shopping malls, and community parks. Getting caught armed in a school zone is much worse. If the weapon you carry has a large capacity for ammunition, you could be sentenced to ten years of imprisonment.

3. Carrying a loaded firearm while intoxicated

The risks associated with carrying a loaded firearm increase by several folds when you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It doesn’t matter if you possess a license or permit for the gun, as it not a valid excuse for being intoxicated and putting everyone around you at risk. You shall have to pay up to $5000 in fines and even spend a year or two in jail.

4. Illegal Gun Discharge

Shooting with a gun or forearm produces sounds of very high frequency that can be extremely disturbing for residents nearby; there is also the possibility of someone getting hurt by accident. If you fire a weapon in a commercial or residential area without permission of nearby dwellers, you will be charged with illegal discharge. You should be outside a 500 meter radius of all inhabited dwellings in the region.

5. Possession of an Illegal Weapon

Possessing any of the listed arms or weapons is illegal in almost every state across the country:

• Machine Gun
• Sawed-off Shotgun
• Grenade
• Bomb
• Propelled Rocket
• Nunchaku
• Blowguns
• Daggers/Ballistic Knives
• Explosive Chemicals
• Extremely Flammable Liquid in a breakable container