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Gun Possession Lawyer In Dallas: Helping Clients Accused of Gun Crimes

With the growing number of gun crimes in Texas, having a Dallas gun possession lawyer plays a vital role in safeguarding your rights. While the constitution protects you from owning a gun, you should remember to be responsible for your weapon. Read this article to learn about the different gun crimes considered in Texas.

The right to bear arms or gun possession is a constitutionally protected right in the United States. The U.S. Constitution states that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”. However, gun ownership comes with great responsibility, and law enforcement seriously takes gun crimes.

How To Own A Gun In Texas

The Texas Penal Code governs the gun laws in Texas. Texas laws on gun ownership are relatively lax, but these laws may be severe for gun-related crimes. A person wishing to own a gun in Texas must be at least 18 years old, except for gun ownership for military purposes.

To legally purchase a gun in Texas, you must first apply for a gun permit from your county sheriff’s office. There is no minimum age requirement for gun ownership in Texas; however, if you are under 18, you must have written consent from your parents or legal guardian to own or acquire a gun. You will also need to fill out an application form and pay a fee (the exact amount depends on the type of gun license application).

Once granted, there are specific rules that gun owners in Texas must adhere to when handling their weapons. These include:

  • Keeping guns away from minors;
  • Using guns only as intended, for self-defense or recreation;
  • Storing guns safely and securely to prevent gun accidents; and
  • Transporting guns in a safe manner.

The number of guns you can own depends on various factors, including gun type and gun license.

What Are The Consequences Of Violating Gun Laws In Texas?

Texas takes gun laws seriously, and there are harsh penalties for violating them. Depending on the severity of the offense, Texas courts can file gun law violators with misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanor gun crimes include carrying a weapon without a license, carrying a gun in a prohibited area (such as a school), and firing a weapon in an urban area. Penalties for misdemeanor gun offenses typically include fines and one year in jail.

Felony gun crimes include unlawful gun possession, carrying a gun without a license when you have prior felonies or misdemeanor convictions, and brandishing a weapon. Penalties for felony gun offenses typically include fines and up to 10 years in prison.

Gun Crimes In Texas

While gun ownership is relatively unrestricted in Texas, law enforcement seriously takes gun crimes. You need to be aware of several gun-related crimes if you plan on owning or purchasing a gun in the state. Some of these include:

Aggravated Assault. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is Texas’s most severe gun crime. Texas defines aggravated assault as assaults against another person using a deadly weapon to cause serious bodily injury or death. Texas courts penalize offenders of aggravated assault convictions with up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $10,000.

Brandishing. Brandishing a gun or other deadly weapon in the presence of someone else is also a grave gun crime. Texas laws define brandishing as intentionally displaying, threatening to use, or attempting to use a gun or other deadly weapon against another person. This crime can be charged as either a misdemeanor offense (punishable by up to one year in jail and up to $4,000 in fines) or a felony offense (punishable by between 2-10 years in prison).

Owning A Gun, Not In Your License Category. Owning a gun you are not licensed to own is another severe gun crime in Texas. You can only hold certain types and quantities of firearms if you have the appropriate license. Owning more guns than your license permits is a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison. If you are unsure what types and number of guns you can own, it is essential to consult with a gun possession lawyer Dallas.

Discharging A Firearm Within Certain Areas. While gun owners are encouraged to practice responsible gun handling and storage, discharging your gun within unauthorized areas is criminal. Firing your weapon inside city limits without permission from local law enforcement officials is considered reckless behavior. It can carry several criminal penalties, including up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Gun Trafficking. Another severe gun crime in Texas is gun trafficking. Gun trafficking is the illegal sale or transfer of firearms. Texas defines gun trafficking as the sale or transfer of a gun to someone to further illicit activities such as drug trafficking. Gun trafficking is considered a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Unlawful Carrying Of A Weapon. A less severe gun crime in Texas is the unlawful carrying of a weapon (UCW). UCW occurs when a person carries a gun in a public place without a valid license. UCW is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Gun Possession By A Felon. Possession of a gun by a convicted felon is also against the law in Texas. Convicts are not allowed to own or possess firearms. A convicted felon’s possession of a gun is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Concealed Handgun License Violation. It is illegal to carry a concealed handgun without a valid license. This charge is a Class A misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Unlicensed Sale Of Firearms. It is illegal to sell firearms without a license. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Possession Of A Stolen Firearm. It is illegal to possess a stolen firearm. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Making A Terroristic Threat. It is illegal to make a terroristic threat against another person. This offense is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Carrying A Gun In An Airport. It is illegal to have a gun in an airport. This offense is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine.

Possession Of A Weapon In A Prohibited Place. It is illegal to possess a gun in certain places, such as schools, government buildings, and bars. This offense is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine.

Criminal Mischief. It is illegal to discharge a gun at someone’s property to cause damage. This offense is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine.

Possession Of A Prohibited Weapon. It is illegal to possess certain weapons, such as sawed-off shotguns or machine guns. This offense is a third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

As you can see, there are a variety of gun crimes that exist under Texas law. Each offense has its specific punishment imposed if you are convicted. If the courts charge you with any gun crime, you must contact an experienced gun possession lawyer Dallas who can help you defend your rights and fight for a favorable outcome in your case.

Getting A Gun Possession Lawyer In Dallas To Defend You

If you face any gun crime in Texas, your first step should be to consult an experienced gun possession lawyer in Dallas. Your gun possession lawyer Dallas will review the details of your case and determine the best course of action for defending against the charges. Possible strategies may include challenging the evidence against you, presenting mitigating factors that could lessen your sentence or penalties, or negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors. Whatever approach your attorney takes, you must work closely with them to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. You can successfully defend against gun crime charges and avoid severe consequences with the proper legal representation and support.

The Medlin Law Firm has successfully defended clients against gun crime charges in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Contact them today to schedule a consultation with a gun possession lawyer Dallas if you face a gun crime charge. Their experienced criminal defense attorneys will fight for you and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.

**Over 96 Years Of Combined Criminal Defense And Immigration Law Experience** ** Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, since 1989** **Award Winning Immigration Law Firm** Our law firm in Dallas Texas is driven with one simple goal in mind and that is to deliver the best possible result on every case we represent. We know that for every criminal case that we pursue, there is a human being that is dependent on us for defending his or her rights, freedom, and future well-being. This type of understanding is the foundation of any successful attorney-client relationship. Everyone should be deserving of a lawyer that they feel comfortable working with. You need someone by your side, who knows and understands the sum and substance of the Texas criminal justice system, and who is familiar with the courts, judges, prosecutors, and clerks in the various jurisdictions of the state of Texas. We are committed 110% to be that firm for you! Selection of your criminal defense counsel should be a careful and thorough process. You need and deserve a highly experienced and devoted advocate that you can rely on to protect your rights and your future. Our team of defense lawyers at The Medlin Law Firm will always give you honest answers to your questions and will dedicate the time that is needed in order to properly outline your defense strategy and possible scenarios of resolution. When you hire our firm, we get to work right away on uncovering and investigating every single detail of your case and the charges you are facing. We know what it takes to build a strong defense on your behalf. Our philosophy in handling each and every new criminal case is to prepare for the worst, but expect the best from the get-go; therefore, we look to dismiss every case if possible, but won’t hesitate to escalate to trial if it serves your best interests. We prepare for each criminal case by planning multiple possibilities and courses of action, so that when your case unfolds, we are in an optimal position to choose the best and most beneficial resolution. Working with The Medlin Law firm means you are always informed and involved at every step of the process. In over 34 years of criminal law practice, Gary Medlin has handled criminal matters of every type and has successfully defended thousands of criminal cases in the state of Texas. His experience practicing on both sides of Texas state and federal criminal law cases offers a significant advantage to his clients. Before becoming a criminal defense attorney, Gary Medlin served as assistant district attorney for over 8 years, prosecuting criminal charges against those accused of breaking the law. Today, this experience gives him invaluable insight into how prosecutors prepare cases against the firm’s clients. He knows the prosecution’s priorities as well as their pressure points, and as a result, is much more resourceful and effective in the preparation and defense of his client’s cases. For the past several decades, Gary has been a highly regarded and trusted Texas criminal defense lawyer. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law as designated by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction achieved by only 10% of criminal defense attorneys in the state of Texas. AREAS OF PRACTICE: • Criminal Law • Immigration Law CERTIFICATIONS/SPECIALTIES: • Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, since 1989 BAR ADMISSIONS: • United States Supreme Court • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit • United States District Court, Northern District of Texas • Texas courts by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS: • Tarrant County Bar Association • Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (Immediate Past President) • DUI Defense Lawyers Association (Founding Member) • Texas DWI Defense Lawyers Association (Founding Member) • State Bar of Texas • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers • National College for DUI Defense EDUCATION: • Texas Tech University, Bachelor of Science 1979 • Texas Tech University School of Law, Juris Doctorate 1982 • State Bar of Texas Licensed: 1983 CRIMINAL CASES WE HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN REPRESENTING AT BOTH THE STATE & FEDERAL LEVELS: • DWI & DUI Offenses • Assault/Battery Charges • Domestic Violence • Murder/Manslaughter • Drug Crimes • Weapons Offenses • Violent Crimes • Theft/Burglary/Shoplifting • Arson • Bribery • White Collar Crimes • Conspiracy • Cyber Crimes • Embezzlement • Forgery • Sexual Offense Crimes • Trespass • Vandalism IMMIGRATION • Visa • Green Card • Citizenship • Deportation Services List • Criminal Defense - All Levels - All Case Types • Individualized DWI Defense & Hearing to Save Your License (ALR) • Extensive Experience in Jury Trails, Obtaining Dismissals, Reductions & More • Motions to Suppress, Occupational License to Cover Periods of Suspension • Obtaining Jury Acquittals at Every Level of Crime Including Capital Murder, Intoxication Manslaughter & DWI (Past Performance is No Guarantee of Future Results) • Immigration - Visa - Green Card - Citizenship - Deportation Amenities • Bonds Free for Clients • Frequent Speaker On DWI, ALR, and Other Criminal Law Matters • Admitted to the United States Supreme Court, U.S. Dist. Ct.-Northern Dist. TX., U.S. Ct. of Appeals-5th Circuit • Member, College of State Bar of Texas, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers • Former Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney The Medlin Law Firm - Dallas 2550 Pacific Ave #866 Dallas, TX 75226 (214) 888-4810 https://www.medlinfirm.com/locations/dallas/ - Contact Gary at  
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