Ridgefield Gun Lawyer
Due in large part to the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, the state of Connecticut imposes stringent restrictions on gun possession and purchasing compared to most other states. Anyone who breaks those rules may quickly find themselves facing serious criminal penalties, even for a first-time offense. Contact a Ridgefield gun lawyer from the Law Offices of Mark Sherman to discuss your legal options and possible defense strategies when dealing with any criminal allegations involving firearms.
A Brief Overview of Connecticut Gun Laws
Connecticut requires all state residents to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility before they can legally purchase handguns, long guns, or ammunition, with each type of purchase requiring a different type of certificate. Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility involves a National Instant Criminal Background Check, a mental health records check, and requires the completion of an approved firearm safety course.
Firearm owners in Ridgefield must also obtain a state permit to carry pistols and revolvers before they can carry a firearm openly or concealed outside of their private property or carry a loaded gun in a motor vehicle. Notably, while a permit of this nature can serve as a substitute for a Certificate of Eligibility for firearm and ammunition purchases, a hunting license cannot.
Connecticut also requires background checks for private firearm sales and has a “Red Flag” law in place, which allows law enforcement officers to seize guns from someone who they believe—based on an investigation and determination of probable cause—poses an imminent risk of harm to other people or themselves. A Ridgefield gun attorney can go into further detail about these and other gun restrictions as needed during a confidential meeting.
Dealing With Common Firearm-Related Charges
According to Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-217, it is illegal for anyone meeting any of the following conditions to possess a firearm, ammunition, or an electronic defense weapon:
- Previously convicted—or in some cases, adjudicated guilty as a minor—of any felony or misdemeanor drug, domestic violence, and certain other violent offenses;
- Been discharged from custody within the last 20 years after having been found not guilty of a crime by reason of mental disease or defect pursuant to G.S § 53a-13;
- Been ordered into involuntary psychiatric detention by the court or admitted voluntarily to a psychiatric hospital within the prior six months;
- Currently subject to a restraining or protective order; and/or
- Currently subject to a firearms seizure order.
Violation of any of these terms is a Class C felony offense for which a convicted individual may face between two and ten years of imprisonment as well as a $10,000 maximum fine.
It is worth noting as well that the presence of a firearm during the commission of another criminal offense—for example, Assault—generally results in the severity of the underlying charge being upgraded and may result in mandatory minimum penalties in cases where they otherwise would not have applied. That said, firearm offenses are not always classified as felonies, and a skilled gun lawyer in Ridgefield can also help with misdemeanor gun charges as well—for instance, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, classified under C.G.S. § 53-203 as a Class C misdemeanor.
Seek Help From a Ridgefield Gun Attorney
While courts in Connecticut tend to crack down harshly on individuals accused of violating the state’s gun laws, you still have important legal rights when facing accusations along these lines. Support from a seasoned Ridgefield gun lawyer can make all the difference in how effectively you can enforce those rights, but also in what kind of outcome your legal proceedings ultimately have for you. Get in touch with the team at Mark Sherman Law today for a confidential consultation, and click here to read over 300 certified reviews from our past clients.