Many people believe that the Second Amendment guarantees the rights of all citizens to purchase and carry firearms. State laws have taken steps to abridge these rights, and there are still certain types of firearms that are never legal to possess. Similarly, there are places where a person can never carry a gun.

If you are accused of a weapons-related offense, discuss your rights and legal options with a Hartford gun lawyer at Ruane Attorneys. Whether you are facing charges for illegal possession or use of a firearm, our legal team is prepared to defend you tirelessly.

When is Possession of a Firearm Illegal?

State laws establish various restrictions on the right to bear arms. Some weapons, such as short-barreled guns, silencers, or zip guns, are always prohibited under Connecticut General Statute § 53a-211.

In addition to the rules that limit the types of firearms that a person may possess, it is also illegal to bring firearms into certain places. These include:

• Schools
• Voting locations
• Racetracks
• Bars or clubs that serve alcohol
• Sports arenas

A Hartford gun attorney could work to contest accusations related to the illegal possession of guns and explain a person’s rights.

Weapons as an Aggravating Factor

Even if a person legally owns a firearm, its use can still be illegal. For instance, gun use may be an aggravating factor if a person is accused of unlawful activity. A classic example of this is assault.

An assault is usually a misdemeanor-level crime involving the use of force to cause harm to another. As soon as a gun enters the equation, the allegations become much more serious. Using any deadly weapon in the commission of an assault automatically changes the charges to aggravated assault. A conviction here is always a class B felony charge with a five-year mandatory minimum prison sentence.

Other examples of crimes made worse by alleged gun use include:

• Robbery
• Burglary
• Sexual assault
• Drug distribution

The presence of a firearm at any of these crime scenes will result in the charges being classified as a felony. Connecticut General Statute § 53a-216 says that having a gun at the scene of any class A, B, or C felony will result in a mandatory five-year prison sentence in addition to any punishment for the core offense. At Ruane Attorneys, our Hartford gun lawyers could provide a defense against allegations that a person has used a firearm to further another criminal act.

Contact a Hartford Gun Attorney Now

Despite the Second Amendment, there are limits to the right to bear arms. If a person does not properly register a handgun or takes an otherwise legal gun to a prohibited location, they may face criminal charges. Additionally, the presence of a firearm in an alleged crime can lead to severe consequences and mandatory prison time upon conviction.

If you are facing these types of accusations, a Hartford gun lawyer may be able to help. Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor-level crime of failing to properly register your handgun or a felony-level charge of assault with a firearm, Ruane Attorneys defends clients with diligence and passion. Contact our firm today so we can get to work fighting for you.