Baltimore Handgun Offenses Lawyers

Experienced Defense for Handgun & Firearm Charges in Baltimore, MD

The State of Maryland is among the strictest states in the country when it comes to handgun possession. In many states, there are what are known as "shall issue laws." This means that as long as a person does not have a criminal record or is otherwise disqualified by having a mental illness or being a habitual drug user, the State is required to issue the person a concealed carry permit for a handgun.

Maryland is not a "shall issue" state, and it is extremely difficult to obtain a concealed carry permit. There are harsh penalties for those who are caught carrying a handgun without a concealed carry permit. Moreover, offenses involving carrying or illegally possessing a handgun are not limited to situations where the weapon is physically in a person's possession. It is also illegal to transport a handgun in a motor vehicle without a concealed carry permit.

At Silverman Thompson, our criminal defense attorneys provide representation for people who are facing charges related to handguns or other types of firearms. We understand the laws that apply in these situations, and we fight to protect our clients' rights while helping them avoid convictions whenever possible.

Handgun Possession Charges

It can be illegal to possess a handgun or a regulated weapon if a person has been convicted of a crime that disqualifies them from handgun possession. These charges may even apply in cases where a handgun is kept in a person's own home. This is an area of considerable misunderstanding by the public. Most people believe that only felony convictions disqualify a person from handgun possession. This is incorrect. Under Maryland law, a person is disqualified from having a handgun if they have been convicted of a felony, a crime of violence, or a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of over two years.

Depending on the specific crime for which the person has been convicted, the statute carries with it a mandatory penalty of five years in prison that may not be suspended and must be served without parole. In some cases, a person may face federal charges for possessing a firearm when they are prohibited from doing so. These offenses may apply for convicted felons, people who are restricted from possessing firearms by protective orders in domestic violence cases, and people who are addicted to drugs.

There is also considerable confusion among many people as to the meaning of the term "possess". Many people believe that the word possess means to own, but it does not. Merely picking up a gun and holding it for seconds amounts to possession under Maryland Law.

Indeed, in Baltimore County, police have recently been charging people with illegally possessing a handgun after being convicted of a disqualifying crime for simply renting a handgun at a gun range, even though the weapon never left the property of the range. People have also been prosecuted for illegally possessing a handgun for simply being in close proximity to a handgun, such as being a passenger in a motor vehicle where a handgun was recovered by the police.

Contact Our Baltimore, Maryland Firearm Offenses Lawyers

It is not an exaggeration to say that your choice of an attorney to represent you in a case involving handgun charges can make the difference between going home and spending the next five years in prison. When you need to respond to charges related to the illegal possession of a handgun, the lawyers at Silverman Thompson can provide you with an effective defense. We have successfully defended hundreds of clients charged with handgun offenses over the past three decades. To get legal help with your case, contact our Baltimore handgun charges defense attorneys at 410-385-2225 and set up a free consultation.