Possession of a Non-Licensed, Non-Registered or Non-Permitted Firearm Or Other Weapons

Both California state law and federal law impose severe criminal penalties for illegal firearm possession. Firearms include rifles, shotgun, revolvers, pistols, machine guns, or any other device designed to be used as a weapon which uses an explosion or combustion to fire a bullet or other projectile. For purposes of various criminal statutes, a rocket also may be considered a firearm. Gun possession is illegal if you knowingly have in your possession a firearm and you are not a legally licensed gun holder. This crime may occur if you have a gun without a valid permit, if you are a convicted felon, if you are on parole or on probation, if you are addicted to narcotics, if you are a mental patient, if you are a minor, or if you have some other restriction that does not allow you to own or use a firearm. It is illegal for a person to apply to purchase more than one hand-gun within any 30-day period. You may be arrested and charged with the crime of illegal possession of a firearm even if the firearm is not loaded. The charges against you may increase in severity -- with substantially increased fines and prison time -- if you are caught with an illegal firearm near school grounds, if you are on probation or parole, if you are in a gang, if you are subject to an injunction, protective order or restraining order, if you have prior convictions, or if other aggravating circumstances are present.

If you or someone you know has been arrested or is being prosecuted for illegal possession of a firearm, call Anchor Criminal Defense for a free consultation.