The illegal possession of a weapon is considered a serious crime. A person carrying an unauthorized concealed weapon will usually face charges for the possession of that weapon.
The circumstances surrounding the charges of illegally concealing a weapon may be confusing. By contacting an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you will get the legal guidance you need and have all of your questions answered regarding the charges against you.
The Gun Control Act
The Gun Control Act is a federal law of the United States that regulates who owns a firearm, who can manufacture and sell firearms, and who can import firearms. Licensed dealers, importers, and manufactures of firearms are the only persons allowed to conduct interstate transfers of firearms.
The Gun Control Act also prohibits the possession or ownership of firearms by:
- Convicted felons in state or federal courts
- All fugitives from justice
- Anyone who is addicted or a user of any controlled substance
- Any mentally ill individual or anyone who has been mentally institutionalized
- Dishonorably discharged persons of the United States Armed Forces
- Illegal aliens or anyone with a nonimmigrant visa
- Anyone who has denounced his or her citizenship of the United States
- Anyone with a restraining order
- Anyone convicted of domestic violence or a misdemeanor
Even if the holder of the weapon has the correct privileges to do so, there are some places where these privileges are void such as:
- Government buildings
- School buildings and campuses
- All airports
- Churches
Illegal Weapons to Possess
The weapons that fall under illegal possession include:
- Firearms illegal to all civilians
- Machine guns
- Sawed-off shot guns
- Explosives and bombs
- Stilettos
- Switchblades
- Other illegal knives
If you are facing a charge of illegal possession of a weapon, please contact the criminal defense lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers today to schedule a confidential consultation. We have offices throughout the U.S.