Atlanta Federal Firearms Offense Attorneys

Federal law regulates virtually every aspect of the firearms industry from importation and manufacture to shipment, sales and transfer to possession and use. As such, federal firearms charges may be filed for a wide variety of acts. Conaway, Strickler, & Margolis, P.C., are Georgia firearms offense lawyers with considerable experience with federal weapons charges.

Violations of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) account for a vast majority of all federal firearms charges. Title 18, Chapter 44 of the United States Code is intended to keep firearms out of the hands of those likely to use them for criminal activities, as well as strengthen existing state firearms laws concerning the sale and transportation of guns.

Prohibited Persons and the Gun Control Act of 1968

A large percentage of the firearms cases filed at the federal level involve alleged violations of the prohibited persons section of the GCA. Section 922 of the Act prohibits persons who fit at least one of nine backgrounds from receiving, possessing, selling or transporting a firearm in the United States. Some example backgrounds include being convicted of a charge that carries a prison term of one year or more, being an unlawful user of controlled substances, or being subject to a restraining order.

Violent or Drug Trafficking Offenses and Firearms

Federal firearms charges in Georgia may be levied against a defendant who allegedly uses—or is in possession of—a firearm during the commission of a violent crime or in the course of trafficking in narcotics. The GCA addresses these activities in Section 924c.

For persons facing charges stemming from an alleged violation of 924c, the services of an experienced Atlanta federal firearms charge defense lawyer are highly recommended. Conviction based on a violation of Section 924c of the GCA results in some of the longest prison terms for federal firearms charges. If the violation of Section 924c caused the death of another person, a 20-year to life prison sentence is possible.

Other Federal Firearms Offenses

The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) regulates the import and export of defensive articles, which includes firearms and ammunition. Typically, federal firearms charges made under this act result from alleged violations of the registration and licensing guidelines outlined in Section 2778b of the AECA.

The National Firearms Act is another set of laws which are targeted at certain classes of firearms and destructive devices, such as machine guns and sawed-off shotguns. Charges based on this act often center around the alleged receipt or possession of an unregistered firearm.