Gun Charges

Common Gun Charges In DC

Washington, DC, recently has passed laws allowing residents to carry firearms outside their homes or business. However, doing so requires proper licensing. Owning a gun, period in DC requires proper registration. Failing to comply with these strict laws  is the most common path to being arrested and charged with criminal felony or misdemeanor firearm charges that have serious life-long consequences.

If you find yourself facing DC firearm charges it is imperative to contact an expert, experienced gun lawyer such as Nabeel Kibria of Ervin Kibria Law.

Defining Common Firearm Offenses

DC gun charges commonly relate to possession offenses. The most common firearm charges in DC are:

• Unlawful possession of unregistered ammunition

• Unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm

• Carrying a pistol without a license

While some of these are felony charges, others are misdemeanors.

What Are the Washington, DC Firearm Carrying Laws?

Owning a firearm or carrying a pistol without valid registration or concealed carry license will likely result in you being charged in DC with felony and/or misdemeanor charges. Yes you read that correct – you can be charged with a host of firearm charges that can be both felonies and misdemeanor charges for simply one firearm.

You may have a concealed carry permit in a different state but you still cannot  bring that firearm into Washington DC. You also cannot own a gun, legally in Washington. DC without having it properly registered.

Registration of firearms so that you can be legally in possession of a firearm in your home or place of business in Washington, DC, is done by the Metropolitan Police Department. Licensing allows you to carry a firearm outside of your home or area of business.  

Defining the Most Common Gun Charges in Washington, DC

The most common gun charges in Washington, DC, usually involve unlawful possession or carrying of a firearm or ammunition without the proper license. Equally common are criminal, usually felony, charges related for the illegal possession of firearms by an individual with a prior felony conviction on their record, better known as Prior Felon in Possession of Firearm (FIP – felon in possession).

Under DC law, if you were previously convicted of a felony elsewhere, you aren’t allowed to have a firearm in or outside your home. That also applies if you have a ban for prior domestic convictions on your record, regardless of the fact that prohibition is limited to 5 years after conviction.

What Are the Chances of Being Charged with Other Criminal Offenses Along with the Gun Charge?

If you are charged with a gun offense, it may be common to be charged with several crimes simultaneously.

If you are arrested for illegally carrying a pistol in Washington, DC, you can be charged with a felony offense of carrying a pistol without a license (CPWL).

In adbeing charged with a felony offense, you could also be charged with the misdemeanor offense of having an unregistered firearm outside of your home or place of business.

Understanding the Severity of a Firearm and Drug Criminal Case

If you are arrested for an illegal firearm and you also possess illegal drugs in an amount that’s suggests you intend to sell or distribute those drugs rather then possessing them for personal possession. Then you may well be charged with multiple offenses.

Such offenses may include unlawful possession of a firearm, which is a felony, as well as possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance which as also a felony in most cases. 

If you’ve been charged with felony or misdemeanor firearms; gun charges in Washington DC you should discuss your possible defense with an expert experienced lawyer gun lawyer like Nabeel Kibria of Ervin Kibria Law.