Dunwoody Gun Crime Lawyer
Georgia takes gun crimes very seriously, and many people are surprised to find that even if they legally own a gun they can still be arrested and charged with gun crimes for certain acts. At Hawkins Spizman in Dunwoody, our experienced Dunwoody gun crime lawyers are prepared to advocate for you if you are suspected of committing a gun crime in Georgia. Call or contact us to learn more.
Prohibited Guns and Other Weapons
Georgia law prohibits some types of guns and other weapons outright from being possessed by anyone in the state. Banned weapons include bazookas, hand grenades, mortars, rocket launchers, sawed-off shotguns and rifles, fully automatic machine guns, and silencers. Penalties for possession of these banned guns can include a felony criminal record and a prison sentence of up to five years.
Misdemeanor Gun Crimes
There are many misdemeanor offenses that a person can be charged with even if they legally own a firearm. While the law allows for a person to store a gun in their home, business, or car without a permit, taking the firearm off the property without the proper documentation can result in being arrested and charged with a crime if a gun is purchased, possessed, or used in a number of different ways. Some of the most common misdemeanor gun crimes include the following:
- Carrying or concealing a gun in a government building, place of worship, healthcare facility, or polling location
- Discharging a firearm within fifty yards of a public street or highway
- Aiming a gun, either loaded or unloaded, at another person
- Hunting without a valid license on someone else’s property
Penalties for a misdemeanor gun crime include up to one year in jail and thousands of dollars in fines and court costs. It may also result in the loss of gun rights for even a misdemeanor conviction.
Felony Gun Crimes
Other gun crimes in Georgia are considered felony offenses, which come with serious penalties if convicted. Possession of a firearm by a felon is considered a felony offense. Use of a gun during the commission of a crime is also considered a felony, which can be charged in addition to the crime itself. Soliciting a dealer to provide a firearm to someone else is a felony crime in Georgia, as is intentionally altering or editing documentation concerning the carrying of a firearm in the state.
Penalties for felony gun crimes in Georgia include prison sentences up to five years or more, fines in the thousands of dollars, and more. Someone convicted of a felony gun crime will have a permanent criminal record that will show up on every background check for jobs, housing, and school. A person convicted of a felony gun crime will lose their rights to possess a firearm for the rest of their life, along with restricted voting rights and other losses of freedom for the rest of their life. An experienced criminal defense attorney is your best chance of avoiding conviction for gun crimes in Georgia, and our office can help.
Call or Contact Our Office Now
Being charged with a gun crime in Georgia has the potential to seriously impact your rights and your freedom if convicted of an offense. To learn more about your legal options after being charged with a gun crime in the Dunwoody area, call or contact Hawkins Spizman to schedule a free consultation today.