Source: https://goldsteinmehta.com/blog/firearmsandweaponsoffenses
Timestamp: 2018-04-25 14:39:31
Document Index: 65239621

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6106', '§ 6108', '§ 6105', '§ 6110', '§ 6106', '§ 6106', '§ 6108', '§ 6106', '§ 6108', '§ 6108', '§ 6105', '§ 6105', '§ 6105', '§ 6105', '§ 6110', '§ 6108', '§ 6106', '§ 908']

Defenses to Weapons and Firearms Charges and Recent Helpful Supreme Court Caselaw | Goldstein Mehta LLC
Pennsylvania Law criminalizes both the possession of firearms under certain circumstances as well as the possession of certain “offensive weapons.” Gun charges are typically referred to as VUFA charges (“Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act”). The most common gun charges seen in Philadelphia court are typically 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, § 6108, § 6105, and § 6110.2.
VUFA § 6106 makes it illegal to carry a firearm in a car or in a concealed manner without a license to carry. In Philadelphia, § 6106 is almost always graded as a felony because it is charged at the same time as § 6108, and it may carry significant jail time even for defendants who do not have a prior criminal record. In the rest of the state, § 6106 is more likely to be a misdemeanor for a defendant who has no prior criminal record.
VUFA § 6108 makes it illegal to carry a firearm on the streets of Philadelphia. VUFA § 6108 is a misdemeanor of the first degree, but it is still taken very seriously.
VUFA § 6105 makes it illegal for people with prior convictions for certain offenses to carry a firearm. § 6105 may apply even to someone who does not have a prior felony conviction as certain misdemeanors, juvenile adjudications, and even Protection from Abuse orders may make someone subject to § 6105. It is typically referred to as the “felon in possession of a firearm” statute, and it is likely to carry the most severe penalties of any gun charge. However, § 6105 is not always properly graded as a felony. Depending on the disqualifying prior conviction or adjudication, a defendant may have committed only a misdemeanor, and the Commonwealth often charges defendants with felonies without realizing this.
Finally, VUFA § 6110.2 makes it a felony to possess a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Second, the prosecution has to be able to prove that the gun was actually possessed by the defendant. Simply because a gun was found near the defendant, in a car in which the defendant was the passenger or even driver, or in a house, does not automatically mean that the gun was possessed by the defendant. The prosecution must show that the defendant actually possessed or constructively possessed the weapon. Constructive possession means that the defendant had knowledge of the weapon’s existence and the intent to control it. It is not enough to show that the defendant knew the weapon existed or was nearby because it may have belonged to someone else. The Commonwealth must also show that the defendant intended to control it. Experienced defense counsel can investigate the circumstances and determine if it may be possible to show that the gun belonged to someone else.
Third, each statute has very specific elements which the Commonwealth must prove. For example, § 6108 requires the prosecution to show that the gun was actually possessed on the streets of Philadelphia. If the prosecution can show only that the defendant had the gun in the front of private property, the prosecution may not be able to secure a conviction. Likewise, the Commonwealth often charges § 6106 as a third-degree felony even where they cannot show that the defendant actually concealed the gun.
In addition to these common VUFA charges, Pennsylvania law also prohibits carrying many types of “offensive weapons” under 18 Pa.C.S § 908. The statute prohibits carrying offensive weapons, and defines offensive weapons as follows:
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