Columbus Gun Crime Lawyer

ATTENTION

IMPORTANT: Charged with a gun crime in Ohio? Call an experienced Columbus gun crime lawyer at (614) 500-3836. We offer free consultations, are available 24/7, and have years of experience in Central Ohio courtrooms.

As an Ohio citizen, you must follow all federal and state laws in regard to purchasing, receiving, possessing, transporting, and using firearms and other weapons. With all of the laws and exceptions, it can be confusing to know what you can and cannot do. You may accidentally run into legal trouble and find yourself facing Columbus gun charges.

If you have been charged with a firearm offense or gun crime in Columbus or a nearby area, contact a weapons attorney from Luftman, Heck & Associates. Our criminal defense attorneys are here to defend your right to own firearms and protect your record.

Gun Laws in Ohio

Under Ohio law, you do not need a permit to purchase rifles, shotguns, or handguns.

As long as you go through proper channels to purchase a gun from a licensed dealer and pass a background check, you may buy any of these weapons. You can also receive firearms as gifts from family members. You do not need a license to own firearms and you do not have to register any firearms you own.

Illegal Gun Charges in Columbus, Ohio

Ohio is a “shall issue” state. Therefore, so long as you properly apply for a concealed carry license, and you are not prohibited from possessing a firearm or obtaining a license, then you shall be issued a concealed carry permit. This allows you to bring your handgun with you in public, except for places that are prohibited by law or places that lawfully restrict firearms from their premises.

If you are accused of violating any of Ohio’s firearm laws, do not hesitate to call our gun lawyers today. We will thoroughly review your situation and advise you on your rights and options. It may be a misunderstanding that we can clear up quickly. Keep in mind, you could face felony charges, which we will aggressively defend against.

Do not try to explain things yourself or trust things will work out. A gun crime lawyer will be your best resource to deal with Columbus firearm offenses the right way.

Weapons Charges in Ohio

Firearms are tightly regulated in Ohio and around the U.S. There are many gun laws that dictate how, when, and where you may possess weapons. There are also laws about illegal or dangerous actions with a gun. If you violate one or more of these, you face criminal gun charges and possible loss of your firearm rights.

The most common gun charges in Ohio are:

• Carrying Concealed Weapons §2923.12 – Ohio law states that no one can knowingly carry or have, concealed on their person or concealed ready at hand, any dead weapon, handgun, or dangerous ordnance. In order to have the right to carry a concealed handgun, you must obtain a license. If you are stopped by the police, you must promptly inform them of your concealed carry permit and any handgun on your person. Failing to do so is a crime. Carrying a concealed weapon in violation of Ohio law is typically a first-degree misdemeanor, however, it can become a felony in various circumstances. If you have been charged with illegally possessing a concealed firearm, contact a gun lawyer right away.
• Weapon Under Disability §2923.13 – It is illegal to knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use a firearm or dangerous ordnance if you are a fugitive from justice, under indictment for or have been convicted of a violent felony, under indictment or have been convicted of a felony involving drugs, you suffer from drug or alcohol dependence, or you have been adjudicated mentally incompetent. Having a gun when under disability in Ohio is a third-degree felony. If you have a felony conviction and have been caught with a gun on your person or in your home or vehicle, you need to speak with a Columbus gun charge lawyer immediately. You are facing harsh consequences.
• Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle §2923.16 – It is unlawful to knowingly discharge a firearm while in a motor vehicle. It is also illegal to knowingly transport a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle when the firearm is accessible to anyone in the vehicle. To properly transport a firearm by vehicle, it must be unloaded and packaged or put away where no one can access it. Depending on the nature of this offense, the charge may be anywhere from a fourth-degree misdemeanor to a fourth-degree felony. If you have been accused of this crime, call a firearm lawyer today.
• Possessing Criminal Tools §2923.24 – No one in Ohio is allowed to possess or have under their control any substance, device, instrument, or article, with the intent to use it criminally. Evidence of criminal intent includes, but is not limited to, possessing dangerous ordnance or the materials to make one or possessing anything that has been designed or specifically adapted for criminal use. In most situations, possessing criminal tools is a first-degree misdemeanor. However, if the tools were intended to be used for the commission of a felony, then the offense is a fifth-degree felony. Whether or not an item is a criminal tool can be up for debate. Call one of our weapons attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates to discuss your situation.
• Improperly Discharging a Firearm – Ohio law strictly prohibits the act of improperly discharging a firearm within its jurisdiction, including Columbus, OH. This means that an individual cannot recklessly discharge a firearm in any occupied habitation or any school safety zone. The law goes further to prohibit the discharge of a firearm on or over a public road or highway, which endangers persons or property. To legally carry a concealed firearm, an individual must acquire the appropriate licensing. It is also mandatory that during any encounter with law enforcement, individuals must immediately disclose the presence of any firearm or concealed carry license. Violation of these laws is a serious offense and can range from a first-degree misdemeanor to a felony, dependent upon the specifics of the incident, such as the proximity to a school or the discharge across a public roadway. Anyone accused of such an offense should seek the counsel of a skilled firearms attorney.

Gun Crime Penalties and Consequences in Ohio

The potential penalty you face for an Ohio weapons crime depends on whether you were charged with a misdemeanor or felony.

For a misdemeanor gun charge, you are more likely to receive a brief period of incarceration or to avoid jail with probation.

However, for a felony gun charge, you can expect a term of imprisonment and a number of other penalties and collateral consequences.

• Fourth-degree misdemeanor: Up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $250
• Third-degree misdemeanor: Up to 60 days in jail and a fine up to $500
• Second-degree misdemeanor: Up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $750
• First-degree misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000
• Fifth-degree felony: Up to 12 months in prison and a fine up to $2,500
• Fourth-degree felony: Up to 18 months in prison and a fine up to $5,000
• Third-degree felony: Up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000

You can also experience a number of collateral consequences for an Ohio gun conviction, including:

• Difficulty maintaining employment or finding a new job
• Difficulty getting into school or obtaining student financial aid
• Difficulty getting approved for rental housing
• Difficulty obtaining loans
• Ineligibility for or difficulty obtaining certain professional licenses
• Immigration issues
• Child custody and visitation issues
• Loss of gun ownership rights, if convicted of a felony

To learn more about the possible penalties and secondary consequences of a weapons crime, call a Columbus gun charge lawyer today. You deserve to know the worst and best-case scenarios for your situation and how you can fight for exoneration or the minimal consequences of a conviction.

How a Columbus Gun Lawyer Can Help

If you are in trouble with the law regarding a firearm or some other weapon, do not wait to call an experienced and aggressive criminal defense lawyer from Luftman, Heck & Associates.

We have years of experience representing clients against Franklin County weapons charges and gun crimes across Central Ohio. We will conduct an independent investigation and build the strongest possible defense under the law. Whether it was a mistake on an application, an innocent lapse in judgment or you need a vigorous defense, our gun lawyers will pursue the best possible outcome in your case.

For over a decade, the Columbus gun lawyers at LHA have successfully represented clients in matters ranging from minor misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. That level of extensive previous experience allows us to better help you.

Contact Our Gun Crime Attorneys Today

If you have any questions about a gun crime in Columbus or if you need an experienced, skilled attorney near you, call the Columbus criminal defense attorneys at Luftman, Heck & Associates at (614) 500-3836.