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Firearm Crimes

Pennsylvania Defense Lawyers

People often are arrested for gun crimes that they did not even know existed. State and federal firearm laws are complex and sometimes counterintuitive. An experienced lawyer can walk you through a charge, the possible penalties, and the best strategies for beating them.

The criminal defense attorneys of Loughran, Mlakar & Bilik have more than 36 years of experience helping the people of southwestern Pennsylvania, including Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Westmoreland County, with firearms laws. We can meet with you in a free initial consultation; contact us right away.

Firearm Laws

A whole host of offenses are covered under Pennsylvania state and federal firearm laws. A few of the charges that our lawyers most often deal with are as follows:

  • Possession of a Firearm without a License
  • Possession of a Stolen Firearm
  • Dealing in Stolen Firearms, which often involves altered or obliterated serial numbers. (See also Theft and Burglary.)
  • Theft of a Firearm, a felony of the second degree
  • Carrying a Concealed Weapon
  • Persons Not to Carry a Firearm (Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon)

In fact, it is a violation of federal law to possess a firearm if you have been convicted of any crime that carries a penalty of a year or more. In Pennsylvania, that could be a DAI / DUI. So even though drunk driving has nothing to do with guns, it can prevent you from owning even a basic hunting rifle.

Defenses Against Firearm Charges

There are many defense strategies against firearm charges. For example, many cases involve firearms found in the homes or cars of convicted felons.

Such cases often involve many search and seizure issues. It is possible that the police did not follow proper procedures in finding the weapons. Another approach could be one of "constructive possession": Can the police prove that the person arrested was actually the person who possessed it?

Contact Us

To learn more about firearm laws and how they affect your situation, contact the attorneys of Loughran, Mlakar & Bilik to set up a free, confidential consultation.