Lawrence County Gun Lawyer

Gun crimes are serious, and to discourage them from occurring, the legal system aggressively prosecutes those convicted of such offenses. There are many types of gun crimes listed in the Criminal Code of Alabama, and if you are convicted of one, you may face jail time, legal fines, probation, and even the loss of your right to own a firearm altogether.

Given the potential for serious consequences, you should consult a Lawrence County gun lawyer to represent your interests in court and safeguard your rights if you are facing charges stemming from a gun-related incident. An experienced criminal attorney could provide you with the guidance you need to make the right legal decisions and seek a satisfactory outcome to your case.

Residents of Lawrence County are allowed to carry handguns in certain locations, but they must be in possession of a valid gun permit to do so legally. Individuals who chose to exercise their right to carry concealed weapons are also legally required to ensure their weapon is carried on their person—in other words, attached to their body in some way.

From a legal perspective, a person who carries a handgun in a bag or suitcase can be charged with carrying a concealed weapon if the handgun or suitcase is not in their physical possession. Even though these statutes are mentioned in the Alabama Code, charges involving concealed weapons can be difficult to understand, and there is still some debate about what is considered “concealed” in the state.

While the Constitution of the United States does grant citizens the right to bear arms, it is still illegal for certain types of individuals to possess firearms of any type. If a person is convicted of a violent crime in Alabama or any other state, they are prohibited from possessing or using a firearm in Lawrence County.

This law exists to prevent gun violence, but the Code of Alabama gives courts the power to decide what crimes count as “violent.” Some courts have ruled that certain types of larceny and burglary are considered “violent,” while crimes such as arson are “non-violent.” It is also important to note that if a person with prior convictions is charged with a gun crime, they almost always face harsher penalties than first-time offenders.

There are certain places where individuals are not allowed to carry a firearm, even if they have a valid permit. Residents of Alabama are not allowed to possess a firearm on the following types of properties:

• Jails, prisons, or any type of correctional facilities
• Psychiatric hospitals or any facility that specializes in treating individuals with mental or emotional disorders
• Sheriff, police, or highway patrol stations
• Courthouses or annexes
• Any building hosting a sporting event

It is also a felony offense to discharge a firearm into a building, vehicle, school, boat, or airplane, even if the previously mentioned places are unoccupied. A Lawrence County gun lawyer could further explain the distinctions that separate places where possession of a firearm is allowed and places where it is not.

If you are currently facing gun-related charges, it could be important to take legal action quickly. An attorney may be able to get your charges or punishment reduced, and in some cases, the court may be willing to drop your charges completely. Learn more about gun-related charges and how they are handled by contacting a Lawrence County gun lawyer today.