Indianapolis Weapons Charges Lawyer

Have you been arrested on weapons charges in Indianapolis, IN?

Contact the skilled legal team at Suhre & Associates, LLC for immediate assistance with your criminal defense at (317) 759-2599.

A strong defense is critical if you want to protect your future. We offer a free initial consultation, so give us a call today to learn more.

Why You Should Hire a Suhre & Associates, LLC Attorney to Defend You Against Your Weapons Charges

The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States grants Indiana residents the right to bear arms. So, if you have been arrested on a weapons charge in the Hoosier State, you may be confused about what you did wrong. You might also be concerned about how your arrest is likely to impact your future.

To better understand your charges and fight back against them, you will need the help of an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney.  The people of Indianapolis have been turning to Suhre & Associates, LLC for legal assistance for years.

They do so because they know that they can count on us to fight hard on their behalf. If you decide to hire us to defend you against your gun charges, we will do the same for you. A brief list of some of the best reasons to enlist the help of our skilled criminal defense lawyers would include:

Knowledge of Indiana Gun Law

Fighting back against a weapons charge requires intensive knowledge of the law. You must have a firm understanding of the accusation that the prosecution is leveling against you as well as in-depth knowledge of the best defense strategies to use to counteract their claims.

Having worked on countless weapons cases over the years, our attorneys understand the intricacies of Indiana gun law. When you first hire us, we will provide you with more information about your criminal offense. From there, we will use our knowledge to put together an effective defense strategy.

Ability to Protect Your Constitutional Rights

The Constitution of the United States affords you a broad range of rights. Most notably, it grants you the right to bear arms, the right to avoid self-incrimination, and the right to avoid unreasonable searches and seizures. When investigating and arresting you on a weapons charge, law enforcement officers must respect these rights.

When you work with our defense attorneys, we will be by your side to ensure that your rights are not violated. If any Constitutional issues arise during your case, we will raise them with the judge. As a result, we may be able to get a portion of the evidence against you thrown out or even have your case dismissed.

Years of Negotiation Experience

In the early stages of your case, you may be offered a plea bargain by the prosecuting attorney. Unfortunately, the terms outlined in this initial deal are unlikely to be particularly attractive. Accepting this deal may cause you to spend more time in jail or pay a heftier fine than is necessary.

Fortunately, our lawyers are experts at negotiating improved plea bargain agreements. We know exactly how to convince prosecutors to reduce and remove penalties from their offers. When you hire us, we will do everything in our power to make sure that the deal you accept is as favorable as possible.

Hiring a Suhre & Associates, LLC defense attorney to help you fight back against your weapons charge is easy. All you need to do is give our Indianapolis law office a call at a time that is convenient for you. Once we hear from you, we will set up an initial consultation to review your case in greater detail.

Understanding the Rights and Responsibilities of Indiana Gun Owners

Before launching your defense against your Indiana weapons charge, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities as a gun owner in the state:

Purchasing a Firearm in Indiana

The process of purchasing a gun in the state of Indiana is relatively straightforward. You do not need to obtain a permit or register the weapon with the state. To buy a gun from a registered dealer, you only need to pass a background check and meet the minimum age requirements.

Under Indiana law, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase a long gun. For handguns, the minimum age is 21.

Carrying a Firearm in Indiana

Anyone who wishes to carry a handgun (open or concealed) in the state of Indiana must obtain a license. To acquire this license, you must submit an online application to the Indiana State Police. You will then have 90 days to undergo fingerprinting and visit a police station to pay the appropriate fee.

The state of Indiana does not require you to obtain a license to carry a rifle or a shotgun. As long as you can legally own these firearms, you may carry them freely in all non-restricted areas within the state.

A small sampling of the places where you cannot carry a firearm would include:

  • School property
  • School buses
  • Riverboat casinos, and
  • Airports.

Only authorized personnel may carry a weapon in these locations.

The Indianapolis weapons charges lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC are experts on the topic of Indiana’s firearms laws. Should you have any further questions about your rights or responsibilities as a gun owner in the Hoosier State, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will be happy to provide you with the information you require.

Types of Gun Crimes in Indiana

The Indiana Code is filled with a wide range of complex laws about the ownership, possession, use, and sale of guns. A small sampling of some of the most commonly charged weapons offenses in the Hoosier State would include:

Possession of a Handgun Without a License

Section 35-47-2-3 of the Indiana Code states that anyone who carries or otherwise possesses a handgun without obtaining the proper license is committing a crime. Carrying a handgun without a license is generally punishable as a Class A misdemeanor. If the crime occurs on or near school property, however, it may be bumped up to a Level 5 felony.

State law does allow residents to carry a handgun without a license under certain circumstances, such as:

  • On privately owned or leased property
  • While attending a gun show, gun club, or firearms exposition
  • At a shooting range or firearms course, or
  • While legally hunting.

Anyone found to be in possession of a handgun under one of these circumstances will not be subject to prosecution.

Possession of a Handgun By a Person Convicted of Domestic Battery

Section 35-47-4-6 of the Indiana Code explains that when a person is convicted of domestic battery, they lose their right to possess a handgun. In most instances, this crime is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. However, if the offense happens on or near school property, it can be upgraded to a Level 5 felony.

Pointing a Firearm at Another Person

Section 35-47-4-3 of the Indiana Code states that anyone who possesses a firearm and points it at another person may be charged with this offense. If the gun was loaded at the time of the incident, this crime is classified as a Level 6 felony. Meanwhile, pointing an unloaded weapon at another person is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor.

Altering or Removing the Serial Number of a Firearm

Section 35-47-2-18 of the Indiana Code makes it illegal to change, alter, remove, or obliterate the serial number on a firearm. It is also unlawful to knowingly possess a handgun or long gun that has undergone such an alteration. This offense is generally classified as a Level 5 felony.

Prohibited Sale or Transfer of a Handgun

Section 35-47-2-7 of the Indiana Code states that anyone who sells or transfers a handgun to one of the following classes of people may be charged with a crime:

  • Convicted felons
  • Minors (without the permission of a parent)
  • Drug abusers
  • Alcohol abusers, and
  • Mentally incompetent individuals.

Violations of this law are punishable as a Level 5 felony.

The attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC in Indianapolis have years of experience defending clients against all of these charges. If you would like us to use our experience and skill to help you with your firearms case, please do not hesitate to reach out to us to arrange a free consultation.

Consequences of Gun and Firearm Convictions in Indiana

Individuals who are convicted of a weapons charge in Indiana can face serious consequences. Some of the most common include:

  • Jail and prison sentences
  • Hefty fines
  • Permanent criminal record
  • Loss of gun ownership rights
  • Revocation of professional licenses, and
  • Denial of immigration applications.

At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we understand that the prospect of facing any of these consequences can be scary. To learn more about how we can help you avoid them, all you need to do is get in touch and set up an initial consultation.

Your Indianapolis Gun Crime Defense Attorneys

If you are searching for an experienced defense lawyer to help you fight back against your gun charge, look no further than the team here at Suhre & Associates, LLC. We have been helping the people of Indianapolis clear their names and reduce their charges for years – and we would love to do the same for you. To set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys, just give us a call or contact us online.

Our Indianapolis Criminal Defense Law firm also provides:

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Suhre & Associates, LLC
101 W Ohio St #2000
Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 759-2599

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