Kentucky Gun Possession Lawyer

Lawyer for Gun Charge

If you’ve been arrested and charged with illegal gun possession or another weapons law violation in Kentucky, your first phone call should be to an experienced and skilled gun crime lawyer. Kentucky has some of the most liberal gun laws in the nation, but there are still state regulations that must not be violated.

Don’t let one bad decision ruin the rest of your life. And don’t forgo the opportunity to have the strategic legal representation of our lawyers for gun charges as you move through the criminal justice system. Intelligence and legal expertise are just one phone call away. Attorney Dan Carman, a former U.S. Marine Corps JAG prosecutor and  Kentucky criminal defense lawyer, is tough and thorough and knows how to represent clients effectively in gun cases.

Owning and bearing firearms in the United States is a constitutional right, but that right can be limited and regulated by the states. Those who violate Kentucky law by unlawfully possessing a gun, illegally purchasing or selling a gun, or using a firearm while committing a crime can face severe penalties, including hefty fines and significant prison time. Federal laws may also apply, which carry their own punishment. Gun possession lawyer Dan Carman can help you navigate your legal options.

If you have been arrested by police for illegal gun possession, purchase, sale, concealment, manufacture or being involved in an altercation in which a gun or weapon was brandished, contact gun attorney Dan Carman today at 859-475-1735 for a free initial consultation about your case.

A gun crime lawyer can be your strongest advocate if you have been arrested for illegal gun possession or illegal gun purchase or sale.

Call us today at (859) 475-1735.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a Gun Charge?

Because the stakes are so high, you don’t want to risk a mediocre defense, nor do you want to try to mount your own defense. Remember, the decisions you make right now will affect you for the rest of your life. A felony conviction can carry lifelong consequences, including prison time and hefty fines. A conviction can also compromise your future ability to get a job, rent housing, secure loans and participate in other civic activities. If convicted of a felony, a person also loses their right to vote. One reason it’s important to retain a felony charge lawyer is that, if you choose to represent yourself, you simply won’t know how to effectively limit your potential exposure to prison time.

This is why you need a strong and experienced lawyer for gun crime. Your chances of acquittal or securing a reduced sentence are much better if you have an attorney by your side who knows the ins and outs of the law and is tough in the courtroom.

How Do I Choose the Right Gun Charge Attorney?

Look for toughness, skill and experience. Find a gun lawyer who is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the prosecutor. Choose an attorney who has earned his stripes in the courtroom. Take a minute to read Dan Carman’s bio. Dan is not only a skilled defense attorney, but he has also been a JAG attorney in the U.S. Marine Corps, so he knows how prosecutors think. When you’ve both defended and prosecuted cases, you’re able to anticipate your opponent’s arguments and out-maneuver them. To learn more about Dan’s background and successes, give him a call at 859-475-1735.

What Happens After I’ve Been Charged with a Gun Crime?

After being arraigned on a gun charge, you will meet with your gun attorney. You will have the chance to tell him your side of the story and your version of events that surrounded your arrest. Dan will listen closely, and he will not judge.  We understand that sometimes you’re just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Police sometimes make mistakes. In some cases, it is not your fault.

Then, we will gather evidence, review police reports and eyewitness accounts, and we will hire an expert witness on your behalf, if necessary. Dan will formulate a formidable defense that challenges the prosecutor’s arguments. The purpose of your strong defense is to create doubt in the minds of a judge or jury. With Dan on your side, you will have the opportunity to negotiate for a lesser charge or take your case to a jury trial.

You’re In Good Hands

Facing a gun crime charge can be scary, but you don’t have to panic. Once you’ve hired attorney Dan Carman, you’re in good hands. You can relax. Dan is a tough and experienced gun lawyer who is formidable in the courtroom, and he doesn’t back down. He is committed to representing his clients aggressively to achieve the best possible outcome. For a free initial consultation about your case, call Dan at 859-475-1735.

Types of Gun Crimes

There are several types of gun crimes, and Dan Carman is experienced at defending against all of them. Here are some of the most common gun charges:

Illegal Possession of a Firearm – A firearm is defined as a pistol, revolver, shotgun, any weapon made from a modified shotgun, rifle or assault weapon. Possession of a rifle, shotgun or handgun in Kentucky does not require a permit. Kentucky has no laws regulating or restricting automatic firearms, although federal law applies; federal law requires automatic weapons to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Illegal arms include armor-piercing or “black talon” ammunition. Also, persons possessing a gun may be required to take a firearms safety course in some cases. People who have a felony on their record or who have domestic violence charges against them cannot possess a firearm in Kentucky.

Carrying a Concealed Weapon – Kentucky allows a person to carry a concealed weapon, but only under certain circumstances. Kentucky’s law requires a person to apply for and be awarded a permit called a Concealed Deadly Weapons License (CDWL). All CDWLs are issued for 5 years. There are certain locations, such as inside a courtroom or near schools, where carrying a concealed weapon is not permitted. If a person carries a concealed weapon and does not have a CDWL license, then he or she is breaking the law. In Kentucky, a person is not required to have a permit for openly carrying a gun.

Purchase or Sale of a Firearm – Adults do not need a permit to purchase a gun as long as it is purchased through a legal source and the gun has not been defaced. There is no waiting period to buy a gun in Kentucky.

Defacing a Firearm  –  It is unlawful in Kentucky to remove, deface, cover, alter or destroy the manufacturer’s serial number or other mark of identification on any firearm.

Unlawful Transportation of Firearms – Federal laws apply for the interstate transportation of firearms. Also, when transporting a gun from Kentucky to another state, it is important to know the gun laws of the state you are traveling to. For example, California’s gun laws are much more restrictive than Kentucky’s laws.

Federal Gun Laws – Federal authorities also regulate firearms by limiting the types of guns a person may legally own. In cases where federal and state laws intersect, federal law trumps state law. Therefore, gun owners in Kentucky must also adhere to the National Firearms Act and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

Gun Possession By a Minor — Children under the age of 18 in Kentucky are not allowed to possess handguns, although there are exceptions for:

• hunting and target shooting
• children acting in self-defense, and
• children on private property who are acting with the permission of their parents.

Weapon Law Violations in Kentucky

There were 3,895 weapon law violations in Kentucky in 2016, up 14.2% over the 3,400 weapon law violations in 2015, according to the Commonwealth of Kentucky 2016 Crime Report.

The definition of a weapon law violation is “a violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices or other deadly weapons,” the report states on page 55.

Weapon law violations were committed every two (2) hours in Kentucky in 2016, according to the report. That means there are a lot of gun and weapon crimes every day. Police had a clearance rate of 61% in weapon law violations in 2016.

What Are the Penalties If Convicted of a Gun Crime?

Penalties for gun crime convictions in Kentucky can include jail or prison time, fines and future restrictions on gun ownership. While Kentucky’s gun laws are liberal compared to those of some other states, gun crimes in Kentucky are serious. If you have been arrested on a gun charge, Dan Carman can explain to you the specific penalties that apply if a person is convicted.

Don’t Get Lost in the Overcrowded Criminal Justice System

AND DON’T RISK TRYING TO REPRESENT YOURSELF.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a gun crime, contact an attorney immediately to fight for your rights under the law. Gun lawyer Dan Carman in Lexington, Kentucky, has years of experience representing clients who face prosecutors and judges on gun charges. Let him protect your interests and aggressively defend you. Contact Dan at 859-475-1735 for a free initial consultation about your case.