Grand Rapids Gun Crime Lawyer

Common Gun Crime Charges in Grand Rapids

In Michigan, about 28.1% of the reported crimes each year involve firearms. Michigan enforces strict gun laws that regulate how an individual can own, carry, or use firearms. It is important to understand these laws so that you have a better chance of avoiding criminal charges altogether and can effectively protect your rights.

Some of the most common gun crime charges in Grand Rapids include:

• Manufacturing, sale, or possession of illegal weapons. In Michigan, it is illegal to manufacture, sell, possess, or offer to sell certain weapons, like automatic firearms or silencers and mufflers. This usually constitutes a felony offense, carrying lengthy prison terms and fines.
• Felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. In Michigan, anyone convicted of a felony is prohibited from possessing, using, selling, purchasing, carrying, or receiving any kind of firearm or ammunition, unless they have their gun rights restored by the state. There is no way to get gun rights restored at the federal level, but federal authorities like ATF will generally accept a person’s right to bear arms after having their gun rights restored at the state level.
• Carrying a firearm with unlawful intent. In Michigan, it is illegal for a person to carry a firearm with the intention of using that firearm in an unlawful manner against another. This law applies to a broad range of weapons, not just firearms, and it specifically includes even pneumatic guns.
• Carrying certain concealed weapons. In Michigan, you are prohibited from carrying a concealed pistol on your body or in your vehicle without the proper license. Even if you have the proper license, strict regulations must be followed. Failing to do so can result in severe legal consequences and long-term impacts on your record and rights.
• Possession of a firearm during a felony. In Michigan, it is illegal to carry or possess a firearm while committing or attempting to commit a felony. An example might be possessing a firearm during the commission or furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Unlawful firearm transportation. It is illegal to possess or transport a firearm in a vehicle unless that firearm is unloaded and is either disassembled, enclosed in a case, packed in the trunk, or stored in a manner that makes it inaccessible to anyone inside the vehicle. This includes pneumatic guns.
• Altering or removing identifying marks on a firearm. It is a felony offense to purposefully remove, alter, or obliterate the name of a gun’s maker, model, its serial number, or any other similar identifying marks. In Michigan, this is a felony charge, and if you are found guilty, you face both imprisonment and fines.
• Possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, it is illegal to make, manufacture, transfer, or possess a short-barreled shotgun or rifle. This is a felony offense, and, if convicted, you could face lengthy periods of imprisonment and substantial fines. This law does not apply to situations where the firearm has been lawfully made, possessed, manufactured, or transferred in compliance with both federal and state requirements.
• Pointing or aiming a firearm at another person. Nearly 48% of American households own at least one firearm, so it’s important to understand that it is illegal and considered a criminal offense to intentionally point and aim a firearm at another person, even without malicious intent. If you are found guilty, you may face imprisonment and significant fines.
• Intentionally discharging a firearm from a vehicle. This law covers the criminal act of firing a gun from a vehicle. The penalty for the offense will escalate based on the shooting’s outcome, including prison time and significant fines.
• Discharging a firearm resulting in injury. If you discharge a firearm and it results in injury, you could face charges. Under the law, this involves intentionally pointing and firing a gun at another person, but without malice or the desire to intentionally cause harm.