Source: https://www.mcandrewslegal.com/other-practice-areas/weapons-firearms/
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 15:03:51+00:00

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Unfortunately, we receive reports of gun-related crimes through the media on a daily basis. In an effort to curb gun violence, Pennsylvania has passed much stricter laws relating to the possession and ownership of firearms and other weapons. Pennsylvania has some of the most restrictive gun control laws in the United States according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Federal, state and local prosecutors make it a priority to investigate and prosecute individuals who violate any of the existing gun laws. Individuals convicted of a gun crime can face years in jail along with significant fines, court costs and other severe penalties. Individuals convicted of committing certain crimes with a weapon can face even longer prison sentences under Pennsylvania’s deadly weapon sentencing enhancement law.
Pennsylvania’s gun laws are complex and can be difficult for even the most experienced gun owners to understand. It is extremely important to hire with a lawyer with a thorough understanding of federal and Pennsylvania state gun laws if you are charged with a gun crime. Over the course of my career as a criminal defense attorney, I have defended individuals charged with all types of gun and weapon offenses. I can guide you through the legal process and address your questions and concerns if you are charged with a gun crime.
I have over a decade of experience providing skilled and aggressive representation to individuals charged with weapons or firearms offenses in Bucks County, Montgomery County and the surrounding counties. Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response. Appointments are available after business hours and on weekends.
The majority of Pennsylvania’s gun laws cover the unlawful possession, ownership, use, sale or transfer of a firearm or other weapon. Pennsylvania defines a firearm as any pistol or revolver with a barrel length of less than 15 inches, any shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches, any rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches, or any pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches (18 Pa. C.S.A. § 6102). Pennsylvania’s statutory definition of a firearm most closely describes the characteristics of a handgun.
With some exceptions, it is lawful for an individual in Pennsylvania to carry a firearm in his or her home or place of business. An individual carrying a firearm outside his or her home or place of business will, with some exceptions, be required to possess a valid License to Carry Firearm (LTCF).
The statute also disqualifies individuals convicted of most misdemeanor weapons offenses as well as those convicted of misdemeanor offenses of escape, unlawful restraint and corruption of minors.
A person commits a 1st degree misdemeanor if he or she possesses any instrument of crime with the intent to employ it criminally.
A person commits a 1st degree misdemeanor if he or she possesses a firearm or other weapon concealed upon his person with the intent to employ it criminally.
A person commits a 3rd degree felony if in the course of the commission of a felony or in the attempt to commit a felony he or she uses or wears body armor or has in his or her control, custody or possession of any body armor.
Under 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 907 (b), it is unlawful to possess a firearm or other weapon concealed on your person with the intent to employ it in a criminal manner. The legal definition of weapon includes any object readily capable of lethal use and possessed under circumstances inconsistent with any lawful usage of the object. An unloaded firearm is considered an unlawful weapon under the statutory definition.
Under 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 907 (c), it is illegal to use, wear, control, possess or take custody of body armor in the course of committing a felony or in the attempt to commit a felony.
Under 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 908 (a), it is illegal to repair, sell, or otherwise deal in, use or possess any offensive weapon unless authorized by law.
The statute requires that the prohibited offensive weapon be capable of inflicting serious bodily injury on a person and otherwise serve no lawful purpose. The statute specifically exempts state police officers, sheriffs, police firearms experts, police forensic experts and firearms dealers from being subject to the law.
Under 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 6106, it is illegal in most circumstances for an individual to carry a firearm on their person or in their vehicle without a lawfully issued Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms or a license or a permit to carry a firearm from a state which Pennsylvania has a current reciprocity agreement. Pennsylvania has written license to carry firearms reciprocity agreements with 19 states. Pennsylvania has entered into informal unwritten license to carry firearms reciprocity agreements with 9 other states.
Any person who carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a valid and lawfully issued license under this statute commits a 3rd degree felony.
A person who is otherwise eligible to possess a valid license under this statute but carries a firearm in any vehicle or any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person, except in his place of abode or fixed place of business, without a valid and lawfully issued license and has not committed any other criminal violation commits a 1st degree misdemeanor.
The statute specifically exempts most individuals who carry weapons as part of their lawful employment, including police, constables, sheriffs, members of the military, certain hunters and those transporting unloaded firearms to or from target practice.
The firearms not to be carried without a license offense can be graded as a 1st degree misdemeanor or 3rd degree felony depending on the status of the accused. An individual who is otherwise eligible to possess a license to carry a firearm in Pennsylvania and is not accused of committing any additional criminal offenses will face the lower-graded 1st degree misdemeanor charge.
No person shall possess a firearm which has had the manufacturer’s number integral to the frame or receiver altered, changed, removed or obliterated.
A person who violates this section commits a felony of the 2nd degree.
The law creates an exception to allow for the possession of a weapon on school property if it is used in connection with a lawful supervised school activity or for some other lawful purpose.
Under 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 6106.1, it is illegal to carry a loaded pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle in any vehicle. The statute does not apply to specified state and local law enforcement officers, members of the armed services, federal agents licensed to carry weapons and agents of common carriers, banks and businesses transporting money or other valuable property.
I will thoroughly review the facts and circumstances of your case to develop most effective defense strategy. My review of the case will include an analysis of whether any of your state and federal constitutional rights were violated during your interaction with the police. In some cases, the legality of a vehicle stop or pedestrian “pat-down” is the starting point in the evaluation of the case.
The legal standard for a lawful search and seizure of a firearm or other weapon by the police is determined by the type of encounter involved. A seizure of a firearm or other weapon commonly occurs during the search of a person, vehicle or residence by law enforcement authorities.
I will file a Motion to Suppress Evidence if the police violated any of your constitutional rights during the investigation and prosecution of the case. The trial judge may exclude the use of certain physical evidence such as a firearm or other weapon if it is determined that your constitutional rights were violated by the police.
It is extremely difficult for most prosecutors to move forward with the charges if the court has excluded the use of the recovered firearm or weapon as evidence at trial. Most prosecutors will withdraw or dismiss the charges against the accused if the suppression motion is granted by the court. I have extensive experience defending individuals who have been subject to an illegal search and seizure of a weapon or firearm by the police.
Certain weapons crimes, including the offense of firearms not to be carried without a license, require the prosecutor, in order to achieve a conviction, to prove that the weapon seized from the accused was functional. Similarly, a prosecutor must prove a weapon was loaded in order to gain a conviction for the crime of carrying a loaded weapon other than a firearm.
Conducting an independent investigation of the firearm or other weapon seized as evidence by the police will often uncover proof that the firearm or other weapon was not loaded or was not functional. Establishing that a firearm or other weapon was not loaded or was not functional will provide a complete defense to these offenses. I can review the evidence in your case to determine all available defenses to the charges.
Constructive Possession: under this theory, the prosecutor alleges that the firearm or other weapon was found somewhere that you have access to, such as in your house, your car, or on your property. A prosecutor must prove that you had knowledge of the firearm or other weapon and the ability to maintain dominion or control over it.
It is generally much more difficult for a prosecutor to prove constructive possession of a weapon or other firearm. Judges and juries are often reluctant to convict a person of an illegal weapons possession crime based solely on evidence that the individual was found in close proximity to a firearm or other weapon. A prosecutor will frequently need additional proof including DNA evidence, fingerprint evidence or incriminating statements made by the accused indicating ownership of the firearm or other weapon.
Many legal defenses may apply in a weapons or firearms case. I can determine the most effective legal strategy to protect your freedom and your future.
If you have been charged with a weapons or firearms offense in Bucks County, Montgomery County or the surrounding counties, it is critical to act quickly to protect your rights and build the strongest possible defense against the charges. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day at (215) 752-5282. Call today for a free initial consultation or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response.

References: § 6102
 § 907
 § 907
 § 908
 § 6106
 § 6106