Rancho Cucamonga Gun Crimes Attorney
Committed to Protecting Your Second Amendment Rights
California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. If you are facing criminal charges for a gun-related crime, you could be up against serious penalties, including jail time, fines, and a lifetime ban on gun ownership.
At the Law Offices of Brian E. Skibby, we understand how important it is to protect your rights, your future, and your reputation. We are committed to providing the strong legal representation you need to fight your charges and seek the best possible outcome in your case.
Contact our firm today at (909) 695-0095 or submit an online contact form to request a consultation with our experienced gun crimes lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga.
Illegal Gun Possession in California
In California, you must be legally allowed to own a firearm in order to possess it. If you are caught in possession of a firearm without the proper permits or if you are otherwise not legally allowed to own a gun, you could be charged with a crime.
It is illegal to possess a firearm in the following situations:
- After being convicted of a felony
- After being convicted of certain misdemeanor crimes
- After being convicted of certain domestic violence offenses
- After being convicted of certain drug offenses
- After being ordered to relinquish your firearms
- After being ordered to surrender your firearms as part of a restraining order
- After being diagnosed with a mental illness
- After being committed to a mental institution
- While being the subject of an active restraining order
- While you are addicted to narcotics
If you are caught in possession of a firearm in any of these situations, you could be charged with a crime. The specific crime with which you will be charged will depend on the circumstances of your case and your prior criminal record.
For example, if you are caught in possession of a firearm after being convicted of a felony, you will be charged with a felony. If you are caught in possession of a firearm after being convicted of a misdemeanor crime, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. If you are caught in possession of a firearm after being diagnosed with a mental illness, you will be charged with a misdemeanor.
Penalties for Illegal Gun Possession in California
If you are convicted of illegal gun possession in California, you will face serious criminal penalties.
The penalties for illegal gun possession in California include:
- Felony probation
- Up to 3 years in county jail
- Up to 3 years in state prison
- Fines of up to $10,000
In addition to these criminal penalties, you will also lose your right to own a firearm. In fact, if you are convicted of illegal gun possession in California, you will be banned from owning a firearm for life.
Gun Trafficking in California
In addition to illegal gun possession, it is also illegal to engage in gun trafficking in California. If you are caught trafficking firearms, you could be charged with a serious felony offense.
You can be charged with gun trafficking if you:
- Sell firearms without the proper permits
- Sell firearms to people who are not legally allowed to own them
- Transport firearms across state lines for the purpose of selling them
- Transport firearms into California without the proper permits
- Transport firearms for the purpose of selling them
- Transport firearms for the purpose of giving them to someone else
- Transport firearms for the purpose of using them to commit a crime
If you are caught trafficking firearms in California, you will be charged with a felony. If you are convicted of gun trafficking, you will face serious criminal penalties.
The penalties for gun trafficking in California include:
- Up to 3 years in county jail
- Up to 5 years in state prison
- Fines of up to $50,000
If you are convicted of gun trafficking, you will also lose your right to own a firearm. You will be banned from owning a firearm for life.
Illegal Discharge of a Firearm in California
In California, it is illegal to discharge a firearm in a grossly negligent manner. If you are caught discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, you could be charged with a crime.
The illegal discharge of a firearm in California is a wobbler offense, which means you can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of your case and your prior criminal record.
If you are convicted of misdemeanor grossly negligent discharge of a firearm, you will face the following criminal penalties:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Fines of up to $1,000
If you are convicted of felony grossly negligent discharge of a firearm, you will face the following criminal penalties:
- 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail
- Fines of up to $1,000
If you are convicted of grossly negligent discharge of a firearm, you will also lose your right to own a firearm. You will be banned from owning a firearm for 10 years.
A conviction for grossly negligent discharge of a firearm can have serious consequences. Do not wait to contact an experienced Rancho Cucamonga gun crimes attorney if you have been charged with this offense.
Gun Crimes and Self-Defense in California
In California, you have the right to use a gun to defend yourself, your home, and your property, but only in certain situations. If you use a gun to defend yourself, your home, or your property in a situation that does not meet the legal requirements for self-defense, you could be charged with a crime.
Under California law, you are only allowed to use a gun to defend yourself, your home, or your property if:
- You reasonably believe that you or someone else is in immediate danger of suffering great bodily injury or death
- You reasonably believe that the use of force is necessary to prevent the attack
If you use a gun to defend yourself, your home, or your property in a situation that does not meet these requirements, you could be charged with a crime.
The specific crime with which you will be charged will depend on the circumstances of your case and your prior criminal record. For example, if you are caught using a gun to commit an act of assault, you could be charged with a misdemeanor. If you are caught using a gun to commit an act of murder, you could be charged with a felony.
If you are charged with using a gun to commit an act of assault, you could face the following criminal penalties:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Fines of up to $1,000
If you are charged with using a gun to commit an act of murder, you could face the following criminal penalties:
- 15 years to life in state prison
How Our Firm Can Help You
At the Law Offices of Brian E. Skibby, we understand that there is a lot at stake in gun crime cases. We are committed to providing the strong legal representation you need to fight your charges and protect your rights.
Get Started on Your Case Today
If you are facing gun crime charges in California, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. The Law Offices of Brian E. Skibby is here to provide the strong legal representation you need. We will fight tirelessly to protect your rights, your future, and your reputation.
Contact our firm today at (909) 695-0095 or submit an online contact form to request a consultation with our experienced gun crimes lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga.