The mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton which left at least 31 people dead reflect the escalating gun violence in the United States.
Although not related, the attacks appear to be racially motivated.
In the wake of this national tragedy, many Americans are calling for increased federal firearms restrictions.
So, what does this mean for gun owners?
Additional restrictions on firearms possession? What about overzealous policing? Will consequences for gun crimes increase?
In this post, we address the possibility of additional gun restrictions, provide a guide to existing federal firearm laws, and share the consequences one might expect if convicted of a weapons violation.
Shortly after mass shootings, President Trump issued a statement blaming hatred and mental illness for gun violence. He also highlighted efforts to crack down on guns. He claimed prosecution of federal gun crimes has dramatically increased in recent years.
The president stopped short of mentioning any specific legislation to increase restrictions on firearms or enhance the penalties for illegal firearm possession.
With an election year fast approaching, we may ultimately see new federal restrictions on firearm possession. In the immediate future, we suspect there will be increased policing efforts here in Texas to enforce existing gun laws.
Let’s take a look at the laws as they currently stand, and the consequences you could face if convicted of a violation.
At the federal level, firearms statutes focus on who can possess firearms, conduct while in possession of a firearm, and prohibited zones where firearms aren’t allowed. There are three primary pieces of federal legislation that regulate gun activity: The National Firearms Act, The Gun Control Act of 1968, and The Brady Act.
This law was enacted in 1934 in response to the gangland murders and the weapons used to commit them. Key elements of the National Firearms Act are:
The Gun Control Act of 1968 revised the National Firearms Act and other statutes, updating and expanding on the restrictions of the prior acts. Key components of the Gun Control Act include:
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, enacted in 1993, imposed one additional restriction and an exception:
Many federal firearms charges are related to the status or history of the person in possession of the firearms. Status-related federal gun charges are frequently made against the following classes of people when a firearm is found in their possession:
Federal gun laws also criminalize the possession or use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and other criminal activities. These charges are pressed in addition to charges for the criminal activity in question.
A conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of criminal activity triggers the following mandatory minimum sentences:
The bottom line is in the current societal climate, it is wise to expect increased policing of gun crimes, and there is great potential for overzealous policing efforts. In turn, gun crime charges will likely increase, and innocent people may wind up facing charges.
If you’re a gun owner, don’t get caught up in the mix. If you do, though, fight back with aggressive criminal defense to beat the charges against you.
The mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton which left at least 31 people dead reflect the escalating gun violence in the United States.
Although not related, the attacks appear to be racially motivated.
In the wake of this national tragedy, many Americans are calling for increased federal firearms restrictions.
So, what does this mean for gun owners?
Additional restrictions on firearms possession? What about overzealous policing? Will consequences for gun crimes increase?
In this post, we address the possibility of additional gun restrictions, provide a guide to existing federal firearm laws, and share the consequences one might expect if convicted of a weapons violation.
Shortly after mass shootings, President Trump issued a statement blaming hatred and mental illness for gun violence. He also highlighted efforts to crack down on guns. He claimed prosecution of federal gun crimes has dramatically increased in recent years.
The president stopped short of mentioning any specific legislation to increase restrictions on firearms or enhance the penalties for illegal firearm possession.
With an election year fast approaching, we may ultimately see new federal restrictions on firearm possession. In the immediate future, we suspect there will be increased policing efforts here in Texas to enforce existing gun laws.
Let’s take a look at the laws as they currently stand, and the consequences you could face if convicted of a violation.
At the federal level, firearms statutes focus on who can possess firearms, conduct while in possession of a firearm, and prohibited zones where firearms aren’t allowed. There are three primary pieces of federal legislation that regulate gun activity: The National Firearms Act, The Gun Control Act of 1968, and The Brady Act.
This law was enacted in 1934 in response to the gangland murders and the weapons used to commit them. Key elements of the National Firearms Act are:
The Gun Control Act of 1968 revised the National Firearms Act and other statutes, updating and expanding on the restrictions of the prior acts. Key components of the Gun Control Act include:
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, enacted in 1993, imposed one additional restriction and an exception:
Many federal firearms charges are related to the status or history of the person in possession of the firearms. Status-related federal gun charges are frequently made against the following classes of people when a firearm is found in their possession:
Federal gun laws also criminalize the possession or use of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and other criminal activities. These charges are pressed in addition to charges for the criminal activity in question.
A conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of criminal activity triggers the following mandatory minimum sentences:
The bottom line is in the current societal climate, it is wise to expect increased policing of gun crimes, and there is great potential for overzealous policing efforts. In turn, gun crime charges will likely increase, and innocent people may wind up facing charges.
If you’re a gun owner, don’t get caught up in the mix. If you do, though, fight back with aggressive criminal defense to beat the charges against you.
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