Fort Lauderdale Weapon Offenses Lawyer
Under the Second Amendment, American citizens are granted the right to keep and bear arms. However, the law does have certain restrictions that regulate and limit the possession of firearms and other deadly weapons. For instance, in Florida you must have a license to carry firearms and other weapons, and you cannot use them in an unsafe manner. A violation of the law in Florida may not only result in a seizure of the weapon, but also high fines and significant jail time. If you have been charged, it is important to speak to a Fort Lauderdale weapon offenses lawyer.
Openly Carrying or Concealing a Weapon or Firearm
Under Florida law, it is illegal for anyone to openly carry a firearm or other weapon unless they have obtained a license to do so. Breaking this law is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor offense. Individuals that do have a license can carry a weapon, but they still cannot display it in a threatening or angry way. Doing so could also result in criminal charges.
Residents of Florida must also obtain a license if they wish to carry a concealed weapon. Concealed means the person carries the weapon or firearm on their person, in a place that is not visible to another person. Carrying a concealed weapon without a license is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Carrying a concealed firearm can result in third-degree felony charges.
Possessing a Firearm Unlawfully
There are certain individuals that are prohibited from temporarily or permanently possessing firearms. These individuals include:
- Convicted felons
- Juveniles adjudicated of a crime that would have been charged as a felony if the individual was tried as an adult
- Anyone else that has had their right to bear arms revoked
Using a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime
Anyone that uses a firearm or other deadly weapon during the commission of a crime can face enhanced charges that carry harsher penalties. These offenses are classified as aggravated offenses. Robbery, assault, battery, sexual assault, and carjacking are a few offenses that are considered aggravated when a weapon was used during the crime.
Carrying a Concealed Weapon at the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport is one of the top ten airports in the country for weapons crimes. Most of the time, these charges arise when a person has forgotten they are carrying a firearm, stun gun, or knife on them and they try to pass through security checkpoints at the airport. Even in these cases though, the penalties for carrying a concealed weapon at the airport has some of the steepest penalties.
A Weapons Offenses Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale Can Help with Your Charges
Being charged with an offense involving a firearm or other weapon is a very serious matter you should not take lightly. I am Kevin J. Kulik, a Fort Lauderdale weapons offense lawyer that will build a strong case to defend you against these charges and give you the best chance of a successful outcome. Call me today at 954-761-9411 or schedule a free consultation online.
