Hire An Experienced RI Criminal Firearms Defense Attorney
Do not let an arrest for a firearm charge ruin your life. Just because you were charged with a crime does not mean you will be convicted. Call me now to discuss your case. As a former state prosecutor and now a Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney I have handled hundreds of firearm cases. I have actual trial experience and know the issues to help fight the charges.
Types of Cases
- Carrying a Pistol/Revolver Without a License
- Possession of Firearm After Convicted of a Crime of Violence
- Possession of Firearm by a Minor
- Possession of Stolen Firearm
- Possession of Firearm When Committing a Crime of Violence
- Larceny of a Firearm
- Possession of Sawed-Off Shotgun or Rifle
- Possession of Firearm while Delivering/Possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance
- Possession of a bump-fire device
How is a Firearm Defined?
Rhode Island General Law 11-47-2 defines a firearm as “any machine gun, pistol, rifle, air rifle, air pistol, "blank gun," "BB gun," or other instrument from which steel or metal projectiles are propelled, or that may readily be converted to expel a projectile, except crossbows, recurve, compound, or longbows, and except instruments propelling projectiles that are designed or normally used for a primary purpose other than as a weapon. The frame or receiver of the weapon shall be construed as a firearm under the provisions of this section.”
What is a Sawed-Off Shotgun or Sawed-Off Rifle?
Sawed-off rifle" means any rifle with overall length of less than twenty-six inches (26") or barrel length of less than sixteen inches (16").
"Sawed-off shotgun" means any shotgun with overall length of less than twenty-six inches (26") or barrel length of less than eighteen inches (18").
What Defenses Can I Use?
The prosecution must prove that you knowingly possessed the firearm. These are where most of the defenses arise in firearm cases. How does the State intend to prove possession? What legal issues can be raised to show that there was no possession?
Typical defenses involve illegal/improper searches by the police, improper police conduct, failure to test fire the firearm, entrapment, and violations of constitutional rights. If you win at the suppression hearing, some if not all the evidence will be tossed out by the Judge and you may win your case before even going to trial.