While gun crime cases are never easy, you don’t have to face the criminal process on your own. Instead, contact the Lanham weapons charges lawyers at Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys. We have decades of experience in Maryland courtrooms and know how to best protect your rights. Contact us today at (301) 262-7005.
Gun and firearm possession is a hot topic in the United States in recent years. Despite Second Amendment rights to bear arms, Maryland has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, which means that many acts involving firearms are illegal and can result in criminal charges and penalties. Maryland legislators intend for gun laws to protect the public from acts of gun violence, and they regularly update the laws to address public safety concerns.
For this reason, gun laws can be confusing, complex, and ever-changing, making it difficult for some to know how to comply with the law. However, in most cases, ignorance of the law is not a defense, and many people find themselves facing serious charges when they didn’t even know they committed a crime. Authorities in Maryland seek to be tough on gun crime, and the law allows for harsh penalties, including mandatory minimum sentencing for offenders.
Gun Offenses in Maryland
Maryland weapons laws apply to the possession or use of a variety of weapons, including firearms, explosive devices, knives, and other similar objects that can be potentially dangerous and deadly. For example, carrying a concealed weapon when you do not have the necessary and valid permit can result in criminal charges. It is also illegal to carry a weapon on the property of a school or store a loaded gun in any place accessible to a child. Some offenses are misdemeanors and others are felonies, with varying penalties. To make Maryland gun laws more confusing, not all laws apply equally across the state, and each county can set its own specific regulations.
For instance, Montgomery County allows target practice in many situations, while both Caroline County and Anne Arundel County generally prohibit target practice. Cities in Maryland may also enact their own regulations regarding possession and use of firearms within city limits. With all of the varying and layered laws, many people accidentally violate a weapons rule and find themselves under arrest and called into criminal court to face serious charges. Prosecutors may charge individuals with gun and weapons offenses under a variety of circumstances. Weapons charges may stand alone or may be in combination with charges for other violent crimes. Some weapons offenses in Maryland include the following:
- Possession of a concealed dangerous weapon
- Possession of a publicly displayed dangerous weapon with the intent to unlawfully injure another person
- Possession of a firearm, knife, or any other type of dangerous or deadly weapon on public school property (unless the individual had specific authority)
- Leaving or storing a loaded firearm in a location where the individuals knew or should have known that an unsupervised child could access the firearm
- Carrying, wearing, or transporting an open or concealed handgun on your person or in a vehicle
Our defense attorneys regularly handle all variations of weapons offenses and know how to seek the most favorable outcome possible in each case. Weapons charges also often come in conjunction with other types of charges. This can occur when a prosecutor alleges you used a weapon to commit another offense, or when police officers claim they found an illegally possessed weapon during a search. Some charges that may accompany gun charges include:
- Assault
- Domestic violence
- Robbery
- Drug offenses
- Theft offenses
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Homicide and manslaughter
Contact Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys if You Are Facing Criminal Charges in Lanham, MD
Weapons offenses can aggravate many other criminal charges, resulting in escalated charges and penalties. Our defense attorneys know how to handle all charges involved in your case, including gun charges and any others you may face. Whether prosecutors accuse you of a single weapons offense or several different offenses, you need an aggressive defense to combat an aggressive prosecution and prevent harsh penalties. Our attorneys are here to help, so do not delay in calling our office to discuss your case.