There aren’t that many gun laws in Florida, but if you break any of them, you’d better start looking for the best gun lawyer you can find because gun charges in Florida can land you in prison. To protect your freedom, it’s important to talk to a criminal defense attorney who will work to get the charges reduced or dismissed and minimize any potential penalty. If you face gun charges in Florida, call 407-644-2466 for a free consultation with an aggressive and experienced Orlando firearms charges attorney at the Rivas Law Firm.
Laws regarding the purchase, ownership, and possession of firearms frequently change, affecting the millions of gun owners in the state in ways they might not even be aware of. Nearly 2 million people in Florida have concealed carry permits, but there are still restrictions on where you can carry a gun and how you can use it. Some people aren’t allowed to carry firearms at all. People with arrest records, especially felons, face severe penalties if convicted of crimes committed while in possession of a firearm.
Weapons Violations
Thousands of people are arrested every year in Florida on weapons charges, and a lot of them wind up in prison. The number of violent crime prosecutions involving guns is increasing, including murder and manslaughter, and guns are the most common weapon cited in aggravated assault charges. Nearly one in ten people serving time in state prisons are there on gun-related charges – with an average sentence of more than three years. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is the most common primary offense for Florida prison inmates. The number of people incarcerated after conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon has nearly tripled from previous years.
After the 2018 Parkland school shootings, the state enacted a series of gun laws including a three-day waiting period for purchasing firearms and raising the legal age of owning a gun to 21. A big part of the crackdown on guns was the enactment of a strict “Risk Protection Order” (RPO) law – a “Red Flag” law.
Florida Statute 790.4901 authorizes law enforcement officers to petition a court for a civil order to prevent people they deem as dangerous from having access to guns or ammunition for up to a year. These orders are routinely granted and thousands of people in Florida have had their guns seized through Risk Protection Orders. A record amount of guns have been seized at Florida airports as passengers carry guns while traveling.
Defending Against Gun Charges in Florida
Florida gun charges range from misdemeanor to felony offenses. A conviction on any charge is serious and calls for an aggressive defense. Typical gun charges in Florida include:
- Brandishing a Weapon (Improper Exhibition of Weapons or Firearms)
- Trespassing on School Grounds with a Weapon
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Crimes Committed While in Possession of a Firearm
- Federal Weapons Charges
- Stand Your Ground Laws
- Juvenile Weapon Possession
If you’ve been arrested on gun charges in Florida, you should talk to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. It’s the best way to protect your due process rights and get the best possible outcome in your case. A skilled gun lawyer will be your advocate, review all your arrest information, and negotiate on your behalf.
Taking this step immediately following your arrest may even help prevent them from filing of formal charges. Call 407-644-2466 for a free consultation with an aggressive and experienced Orlando gun lawyer at the Rivas Law Firm. We’ll fight hard for your Second Amendment rights.
