Raleigh Weapons Crime Lawyer

Get Support from Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorneys

While the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right of all American citizens to keep and bear arms, the state of North Carolina may limit that right. State laws are designed to ensure the safe and proper use of weapons, but it is not uncommon for a person who was simply trying to protect his or her family to unexpectedly be facing criminal charges.

Any conviction for a firearm offense can have a significant impact on a person's life, including possible imprisonment, heavy fines, and a criminal record. Despite the possibly severe consequences associated with gun charges, it is important to remember that the prosecution is required to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. You can give yourself the best chance at having the charges against you reduced or even dismissed by hiring skilled legal representation.

Raleigh Weapons Charges Lawyer

Clifford Law Group defends clients all over the Raleigh area against weapons crimes. We represent people accused of firearm offenses in Orange County, Wake County, and Durham County.

Our Raleigh criminal defense attorneys will aggressively challenge the evidence of the prosecution and expose any weaknesses of the case against you. We will provide a complete review of your case to help you understand your legal options when you call (919) 441-1799 to set up a free, confidential consultation.

Types of Weapons Charges in North Carolina

Weapon and firearm offenses in North Carolina include:

• Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without Permit - North Carolina General Statute § 14-269 makes it illegal for any person to willfully and intentionally carry any concealed bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slung shot, loaded cane, metallic knuckles, razor, shuriken, stun gun, or other deadly weapon of like kind. This is a Class 2 misdemeanor, but a second offense in which the weapon is any pistol or gun is a Class I felony.
• Possession of Firearm by a Felon - North Carolina General Statute § 14-415.1 makes it illegal for any person who has been convicted of a felony to purchase, own, possess, or have in his or her custody, care, or control any firearm. This is a Class G felony.
• Carrying Weapons Into Assemblies and Establishments Where Alcoholic Beverages Are Sold and Consumed - Class 1 misdemeanor under North Carolina General Statute § 14-269.3.
• Alteration, Destruction, or Removal of Serial Number from Firearm; Possession of Firearm with Serial Number Removed - Class H felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-160.2.
• Purchase or Possession of Firearms by Person Subject to Domestic Violence Order Prohibited - Class H felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-269.8.
• Robbery with Firearms or Other Dangerous Weapons - Class D felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-87.
• Discharging a Firearm from within an Enclosure - Class E felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-34.9.
• Discharge Firearm within Enclosure to Incite Fear - Class F felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-34.10.
• Assault with a Firearm on a Law Enforcement, Probation, or Parole Officer or on a Person Employed at a State or Local Detention Facility - Class E felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-34.5.
• Assault with a Firearm or Other Deadly Weapon Upon Governmental Officers or Employees, Company Police Officers, or Campus Police Officers - Class F felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-34.2.
• Solicit Unlawful Purchase of Firearm; Unlawful to Provide Materially False Information Regarding Legality of Firearm or Ammunition Transfer - Class F felony under North Carolina General Statute § 14-408.1.
• Permitting Young Children to Use Dangerous Firearms - Class 2 misdemeanor under North Carolina General Statute § 14-316.
• Felonious Assault with Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill or Inflicting Serious Injury - Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-32, it is a Class C felony for any person to assault another person with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill and inflict serious injury. It is a Class E felony for any person who assaults another person with a deadly weapon and inflicts serious injury or assaults another person with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
• Discharging Certain Barreled Weapons or a Firearm into Occupied Property - Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-34.1, it is a Class E felony for any person to willfully or wantonly discharge or attempt to discharge any firearm or barreled weapon into any building, structure, vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other conveyance, device, equipment, erection, or enclosure while it is occupied. If a person discharges a weapon into an occupied dwelling or into any occupied vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, or other conveyance that is in operation, this is a Class D felony. If this violation results in serious bodily injury to any person, this is a Class C felony.
• Possession of Dangerous Weapon in Prison - Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-258.2, it is a Class H felony for any person in the custody of the Section of Prisons of the Division of Adult Correction or local confinement facility to fabricate, create, or have in his or her possession without permission or authorization a weapon capable of inflicting serious bodily injuries or death. Any person who commits any assault with such weapon and thereby inflicts bodily injury or by the use of said weapon effects an escape or rescue from imprisonment shall be punished as a Class F felon. It is a Class H felony if any person assists a prisoner in custody in escaping or attempting to escape, and either commits an assault with a deadly weapon and inflicts bodily injury in the perpetration of the escape or attempted escape or effects the escape of the prisoner by the use of a deadly weapon.

Weapons on Campus or Other Educational Property - Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-269.2, it is a Class I felony for any person knowingly to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any gun, rifle, pistol, or other firearm of any kind on educational property or to a curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by a school. It is a Class F felony for any person who willfully discharges a firearm of any kind on educational property. It is a Class G felony for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mine, or powerful explosive on educational property or to a curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by a school.

It is a Class I felony for any person to cause, encourage, or aid a minor who is less than 18 years old to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any gun, rifle, pistol, or other firearm of any kind on educational property. It is a Class G felony for any person to cause, encourage, or aid a minor who is less than 18 years old to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any dynamite cartridge, bomb, grenade, mine, or powerful explosive on educational property. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, or to cause, encourage, or aid a minor who is less than 18 years old to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any BB gun, stun gun, air rifle, air pistol, bowie knife, dirk, dagger, slungshot, leaded cane, switchblade knife, blackjack, metallic knuckles, razors and razor blades (except solely for personal shaving), firework, or any sharp-pointed or edged instrument except instructional supplies, unaltered nail files and clips and tools used solely for preparation of food, instruction, and maintenance, on educational property.

• Weapons on Certain State Property and in Courthouses - Class 2 misdemeanor under North Carolina General Statute § 14-269.4.
• Selling or giving weapons to minors - Under North Carolina General Statute § 14-315, the sale of weapons other than handguns is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The sale of handguns is a Class H felony.
• Sale of certain weapons without permit forbidden - Class 2 misdemeanor under § 14-402.

Call (919) 441-1799 today to speak to a skilled Raleigh criminal defense attorney.