Riverside Weapons Crime Attorney

What firearms are legal to buy in California?
Essentially, it’s legal to buy and own most handguns (pistols) and long guns (rifles) in California. A good resource to see exactly which models are not legal is the California Attorney General’s Office.

Among those that are generally not legal to possess include semi-automatic weapons, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and guns with high-capacity magazines – which are defined as magazines being able to hold more than 10 rounds.

Other guns and gun-accessories that are not legal to own in California include:

• wallet guns;
• zip guns;
• armor piercing ammunition;
• silencers; and
• guns that aren’t recognizable as weapons.

What’s the process for buying a gun in California?
For starters, there are a number of requirements and limitations on who can purchase and own a gun, and how it may be obtained.

For example, you must be at least 21 to buy and possess a handgun, and at least 18 to purchase and possess a rifle or shotgun.

Also, you can’t legally buy or transfer a gun privately. Rather, all gun sales and transfers are required to be made through a licensed California gun dealer. Additionally, you’ll have to wait 10 days from the date of the gun purchase or transfer until it is actually released to you.

Before you can legally purchase a gun in California, however, you must take and pass a safety test to receive your Firearm Safety Certificate, which is required and must be presented to the gun dealer when the purchase is initiated.

Who is prohibited from buying and possessing a gun in California?
In addition to age restrictions, there are a host of other limitations on weapon ownership and possession in California. While a comprehensive list of those prohibited from buying and possessing firearms is available from the California Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms, the list includes anyone who:

• is a minor;
• has a prior felony conviction;
• has been convicted of specific misdemeanor crimes;
• is addicted to narcotic drugs;
• has been deemed by a court to be a danger to themselves or others because of a mental illness;
• has been determined by a court to be not guilty by reason of insanity;
• has relinquished their U.S. citizenship;
• has received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. military; and
• is a fugitive from justice.

Is there a limit on how many guns I can buy and possess in California?
While there’s actually no limit in how many handguns you can own, you generally can’t buy more than one handgun per one 30-day period.

How must I store my guns?
California law says that its criminal to store a loaded firearm in a place where you know – or should know – that a minor (someone under 18) can gain access to it. In fact, California gun dealers are required to post warning signs to all their customers about this law.

However – and this is important – there are a number of exceptions to this law. Among others, you are not guilty of a crime if the minor obtained the gun through illegal entry or that you had no reason to believe that a child may be on the premises.

Can I carry my gun in my vehicle in California?

Yes, you can, but there are restrictions. The law says that you can legally have your handgun in your vehicle as long as its unloaded and locked either in your trunk or a locked container. The locked container can be one that is secured by padlock, key lock or combination lock.

While shotguns and rifles aren’t required to be kept in a locked container, they must remain unloaded while in the vehicle.

Can I carry a gun in public in California?
Only if you have a Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) license. If you don’t have a CCW, it’s against the law to carry either a loaded or unloaded weapon in public. 

What’s the process for getting a Carry Concealed Weapons license in California?
Your county sheriff’s office is responsible for issuing Carry Concealed Weapons licenses in California. Be aware, however, that obtaining a CCW license is not an automatic thing. Law enforcement personnel have “broad discretion” in determining whether or not someone will actually be granted a CCW.

For example, before a CCW license can be issued:

• a background check on you will be performed, and you must be found to be “of good moral character”;
• you must have completed your Firearms Safety Course; and
• you meet the requirement of being a resident of California.

Keep in mind that obtaining the license can cost between $200-$300, which includes a $44 state fee.

How long are Carry Concealed Licenses valid?
Each license is valid for up to two (2) years from the issue date.

What’s the best or safest way to handle a gun?
If you possess a gun or plan to in the near future, it’s definitely in your best interest to learn the safest rules for handling guns, which include:

• treating all guns as if they are loaded;
• keeping your gun pointed in a safe direction (one in which no injury or damage will be caused in the event of accidental firing);
• keeping your finger off the trigger until you’re just about to shoot;
• always know what your target is and its surroundings;
• knowing how to properly handle your gun (including knowing what each component of it does); and
• properly storing your gun.

Are there places in California where it’s illegal to bring a gun?
There are a number of places where it’s illegal, including public schools, public and private colleges, and public buildings (court houses, legislative offices, post offices, etc.).

What weapons charges are most common in California?

With such strict laws in regards to guns, it’s understandably easy to run afoul of the law – either knowingly or not.

The more common weapons charges in California include:

• improper handling of a gun in a vehicle;
• illegally selling or purchasing a gun;
• possession of an assault weapon (which can include semi-automatic weapons with detachable magazines, a pistol grip, with features like a flash suppressor or barrel shroud);
• firing or shooting an object into an occupied building;
• altering the identifications marks on your gun;
• drawing or presenting your gun in a threatening manner; and
• firing your gun from a vehicle.
  

What are the potential penalties for weapons charges?
Keep in mind that each case is unique, but based upon our experience, the penalties resulting from a weapons charge can be severe.

First off, if you have a gun on your body while committing a crime – even if the gun is legally possessed – you’ll be facing sentencing enhancement, which means that you could be facing additional jail time.

As to other weapons charges, it’s up to the judge to determine if you’ll be charged with a felony or misdemeanor. Things that can influence the judge’s decision include the type of weapon, your intent with the weapon and whether or not you have any previous criminal offenses.

If the judge rules your case to be a misdemeanor, your could face up to one (1) year in jail and/or $1,000 in fines.

If your case is deemed to be a felony, you could be sentenced to one-to-twenty (1-20) years in a California prison. Again, the individual circumstances unique to your case will play a large factor in the length of any possible sentence.

What are effective defenses for weapons charges?
If you’re facing weapons charges of any kind, it’s imperative that you contact a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Among the more effectively successful defense strategies for weapons charges are:

• you were acting in your own self-defense or in the defense of others;
• the weapon accidentally fired;
• you were unaware that a firearm or weapon was in your possession – which means you did not have actual possession;
• there are false statements in the police report for your case;
• the firearm is not yours and was planted by police officers; and
• the police obtained the gun through illegal search methods.

If you or a loved one is facing weapons charges in Riverside or the Los Angeles area, call Sharp Criminal Lawyers.

We’ve earned our reputation for providing successful, and winning, courtroom defense strategies based upon our reputation in the courtroom. Stephen Sweigart has obtained countless not guilty verdicts in every courthouse in Riverside County.

Whether you believe you may be guilty of the accusations or not, your chances for a successful defense against weapons charges increase tremendously the moment you get in touch with us here at Sharp Criminal Lawyers.

Please do not speak to the police until you have spoken to an experienced criminal defense attorney so we can protect your rights, including your right to remain silent. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free legal info by phone at 951-777-1111.