Possession of a Firearm in PA
If you’ve been convicted of a felony, it is an offense to hold a firearm. The penalty for breaking the law can be severe.
The right to bear arms is embedded in the Constitution, but in Pennsylvania, that doesn’t apply to everyone. In an attempt to reduce the rising rates of gun violence, the Commonwealth’s legislature introduced laws preventing convicted felons from possessing guns.
Firearms legislation in Pennsylvania
Approximately 1,400 people die from gun violence in Pennsylvania every year. With every new shooting, the pressure grows on legislators to take action to reduce the number of guns on the streets.
As such, the Pennsylvania makes it illegal for anyone to own a gun if they have been convicted of a felony. Crimes include any offense relating to a gun, burglary, stalking, impersonating a police officer or receiving stolen property.
You might also be barred from owning a gun if you have been charged under a controlled substance act or have been subject to a restraining order for abuse. Any individual who has been deemed mentally incompetent to carry a gun, will also have their license revoked.
Penalties for illegal firearms possession in Pennsylvania
If you have been deemed unfit to bear arms, you will have 60 days to dispose of any firearms you possess. After this point, you could face serious penalties of you’re found in possession of a weapon.
If you fail to obey his order and dispose of your weapons in time, you could face up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine. A more serious offense would be if you’re found in possession of any firearm after being banned from carrying weapons. If this happens, you could face up to ten years in prison and a fine as high as $25,000.
There may be ways to restore your right to bear arms. The ban will not apply to any felony which has been expunged, set aside, for which you’ve been pardoned or had your civil rights restored (such as the right to vote).
Whatever your situation, you should always get the best legal help possible. The consequences for being convicted of illegal possession of firearms could be devastating. They will continue to hold you back even when your prison sentence has ended. If you give us a call, we’ll be there when you need us most. If possible, we will get the charge dismissed. If not, we will seek to minimize the sentence and ensure your rights are respected throughout the process.
Penalties for illegal firearms possession in Pennsylvania
If you have been deemed unfit to bear arms, you will have 60 days to dispose of any firearms you possess. After this point, you could face serious penalties of you are found in possession of a weapon.
If you fail to obey his order and dispose of your weapons in time, you could face up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine. A more serious offense would be if you’re found in possession of any firearm after being banned from carrying weapons. If this happens, you could face up to ten years in prison and a fine as high as $25,000.
There may be ways to restore your right to bear arms. The ban will not apply to any felony which has been expunged, set aside, for which you’ve been pardoned or had your civil rights restored (such as the right to vote).
Whatever your situation, you should always get the best legal help possible. The consequences for being convicted of illegal possession of firearms could be devastating. They will continue to hold you back even when your prison sentence has ended. If you give us a call, we’ll be there when you need us most. If possible, we will get the charge dismissed. If not, we will seek to minimize the sentence and ensure your rights are respected throughout the process.
