The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. However, it is also widely understood that guns and firearms can cause serious physical harm or even death. As such, the presence of a firearm during the commission of a crime will likely increase one’s punishment. According to a 2015 study from the Journal of Injury Prevention, 48.9% of adults in Alabama own a gun.
With nearly half of all adults in the state owning a firearm, many individuals may find themselves in a gun-related incident or in violation of Covington County gun laws. Know that a qualified Covington County gun lawyer could help you make sense of your situation, including the possible charges, outcomes, and next steps. Read on to learn more about how a dedicated defense attorney could offer you their assistance today.
Alabama Gun LawsCompared to those of other states, Covington County’s gun laws are generally considered permissive. Alabama is an open-carry state, which allows qualified adults to openly carry guns even without a permit. Mostly any adult can own a gun, with limited exceptions such as an individual who has been convicted of committing, or attempting to commit, a crime of violence.
This could include murder, rape, assault, kidnapping, or larceny. Drug addicts, alcoholics, and individuals who intend to do harm at a public school are also an exception to the open-carry policy. In addition to these restrictions, an adult in Alabama and Covington County cannot:
Know that a knowledgeable Covington County gun lawyer can be a valuable asset to individuals who are facing gun charges through aggressive representation in court.
Penalties for Gun ViolationsBeing involved in a gun-related crime is considered a serious offense in Covington County. The punishment for a gun-related crime varies depending on the graveness of the offense and can range from a $500 fine to a maximum sentence of ten years spent in prison. In certain circumstances, conviction on gun charges in Covington County may result in the permanent confiscation of the gun involved in the commission of the crime. Because of the severity of these penalties, it can be imperative to retain legal protection from a skilled Covington County gun lawyer as soon as possible.
Consult With a Covington County Gun Lawyer TodayMany legal questions can arise regarding gun ownership, such as whether it is necessary for a gun owner to keep their gun’s registration on their person at all times, or what happens if someone is in possession of a gun while involved in an unrelated crime. A Covington County attorney specializing in gun and weapons law could provide answers to these questions.
If you are charged in the Covington County area with a gun-related crime or are in violation of Alabama’s gun laws, do not hesitate to reach out to a Covington County gun lawyer today to learn more about your rights and how a seasoned defense attorney could help protect your interests.