Fort Lauderdale Gun Crime Lawyer
Defend yourself with representation and counsel from an experienced gun crimes attorney
Recent news events regarding assault with a deadly weapon, the legality of Internet gun sales, and bans on large ammunition clips have put a spotlight on gun issues in the United States, making weapons charges more politically charged than ever. And while the Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms, laws regarding weapons are strictly enforced.
There are two sets of laws regarding guns: those set by the state of Florida and those set by the federal government. At the Fort Lauderdale law firm of Kevin J. Kulik, P.A., we understand the confusion that can follow a charge or arrest for a firearm offense. Criminal defense attorney Kevin Kulik has provided aggressive representation in both state and federal court for clients throughout South Florida who risk losing the right to own a weapon and face steep fines and the possibility of jail time if convicted. Contact our Fort Lauderdale gun crime lawyers for help.
Understanding federal weapons charges
Under federal law, it is illegal to:
- Have a gun inside or on federal property, with few exceptions
- Possess an unregistered firearm
- Alter, destroy or remove the serial number from a weapon
- Knowingly provide false statements or show false identification when undergoing a federal criminal background check
- Possess a firearm if you are a convicted felon
- “Straw purchase” a firearm for anybody unable to pass the federal background check
- Alter a semiautomatic weapon to make it fully automatic
- Transfer a weapon with the knowledge that it is going to be used to commit a drug-trafficking offense or violent crime
In general, any time a firearm is transported or delivered across state lines, a violation of a gun law becomes a federal crime.
Penalties for violations of federal weapons laws include a prison sentence of at least ten years and fines as high as $250,000. If you are facing investigations, it is in your best interests to work with an experienced weapons offense attorney who understands federal regulations and who has successfully defended clients in federal courts.
What about the gun laws in Florida?
Many of Florida’s gun laws mirror those of the federal government. In addition to unlawful possession issues and illegal sales, you may be charged with the unlawful discharge of a weapon. If the gun is discharged in a public space and you, as the defendant, have no prior criminal record, you may be looking at a misdemeanor. If, however, the gun was shot from a vehicle within 1,000 feet of a person, you could be looking at a second-degree felony charge.
In Florida it is legal to carry a concealed weapon on your person or in your car, as long as it is in a secured case and not easily accessible to passengers, provided you acquire a permit to do so. You are in violation of the concealed weapon law if you have not completed a background check (exceptions are made for licensed dealers, law enforcement officers and military personnel) or if you break any other state or federal weapons laws.
Find out how we can help protect your constitutional rights in the face of gun crimes charges
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with Fort Lauderdale weapons charge lawyer, Kevin J. Kulik, P.A., please contact us online or call us at 954-761-9411. Our offices are conveniently located near the Fort Lauderdale, River Walk zone.
