Fishers Gun Crime Lawyer
Gun crimes are serious charges in Indiana that can land you behind bars and take away your Second Amendment right to bear arms. Whether you’re facing charges for being a felon in possession of a gun or firing a gun in a prohibited area, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The former prosecutors and Board-Certified Criminal Trial Specialists at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Wiley PC can lodge a defense on your behalf. Call our Fishers criminal defense attorney today to get started.
What Are Common Gun Crime Offenses in Indiana?
Indiana criminalizes a number of different activities related to firearms. This includes limiting who can have a gun, what can be done with the gun, and gun registration requirements.
Prohibiting Who Can Have a Gun
Various people are not legally permitted to have a gun. Common criminal charges under this category include:
- Carrying a handgun without a license
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a domestic batterer
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon
- Possession of a firearm by a non-citizen
Prohibiting the Types of Guns People Can Own
In Indiana, it is illegal in most circumstances to possess machine guns or armor-piercing ammunition.
Criminalizes Certain Misconduct
Indiana also has a number of other laws that regulate conduct related to guns. For example, it is illegal to purchase a firearm for someone who is not legally able to own it. It is also illegal to give a firearm to someone who is intoxicated or is known to be a drunk. Obliterating identification marks on a handgun or possessing a handgun with obliterated identification marks can be charged if you remove the serial number from a gun or possess a firearm with the serial number defaced. It is also illegal to point a firearm at someone else.
Even when it is legal to own a gun, it may not be legal to take it to certain places, such as:
- Schools or school buses
- Secure area of airports or commercial or chartered aircraft
- Jails or prisons
- Casinos
- Government buildings
- State Fair fairgrounds
- Private businesses
Possible Penalties for Gun Offenses in Indiana
Gun charges can vary in severity, depending on how the crime is charged. Potential penalties may include:
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail
- Level 6 felony: 6 months to 2.5 years in jail
- Level 5 felony: 1 to 6 years in prison
- Level 4 felony: 2 to 12 years in prison
If you use a gun during the commission of another crime, a weapon enhancement can add 5 to 20 years to your prison sentence.
Because these potential penalties are so harsh, it’s critical that you work with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can mount the most vigorous defense possible. An experienced gun crime lawyer in Fishers can review the charges against you, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and mount a vigorous defense on your behalf.
Contact The Criminal Defense Team Today for Help with Your Gun Charges
If you have been charged with a gun offense in Indiana, The Criminal Defense Team can help. Call us at (317) 687-8326 for a free consultation.