Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Garden City, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Garden City, MO. If you live in MO, you’ve probably known or been around someone who either concealed or open carried a weapon – the state’s gun & weapon laws allow for more freedom for possession and usage. But just because you have many freedoms to carry weapons, doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want with them.

Many weapon crime charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. On your own, without a leading Garden City weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just protecting yourself and your family.

Secure your life. Defend your freedom. Hire Combs Waterkotte. Our team of Garden City’s leading criminal defense lawyers, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 years of combined legal experience. We are committed to giving you the strongest defense possible and will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your weapons charge defense case.

Get in touch today at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Garden City, MO?

MO law sets rules for the usage, ownership, and transfer of guns and other deadly weapons. But that’s not all you have to worry about in MO: There are still federal laws that affect the availability and use of self-defense tools. For example, MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federally-licensed dealers are required to conduct one, meaning that if you want to buy a gun in MO, you should still be prepared for a background check.

In MO, most citizens are permitted to carry a gun, as long as:

1. They do not bring it into schools, government offices, places of worship, or other restricted areas; and
2. They have not had their right to bear arms taken away.

In MO, you’re allowed to use your gun at the range and for self-defense, but several other activities are illegal. These activities mostly are ones that would put others’ wellbeing at risk, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, firing one over a highway, or using one while committing another crime.

One important point – although we focused on state restrictions above, MO allows for individual municipalities to enforce their own more stringent laws on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Garden City laws, be sure to check your local statutes and connect with a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.

Common Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Garden City, MO. Here are some of our specialty areas that we’ve fought cases for in MO:

• Unlawful Use of a Weapon
• Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Transport, and Repair of Certain Weapons
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit
• Possession of an Illegal Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated
• Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
• Federal Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• Federal Weapons/Firearm Offenses
• Other Gun Charges
• Other Weapons Offenses

Other Weapon Laws in MO

Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Garden City, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense instruments, such as pepper spray and stun guns, can be possessed in MO without any permits.

Other weapons, like knives, blackjacks, and batons, are face additional restrictions because they are designated as dangerous weapons. With this classification, even though they are not firearms, they often have the same regulations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

However, as mentioned above in regards to guns, different localities are allowed to establish their own restrictions, so reach out to a Garden City weapons law expert if you don’t know the rules a particular self-defense device.

MO Weapon Crimes Penalties:

The penalties for alleged weapon crimes in MO are steep. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney right away:

When you look at the potential fallout of a conviction, why would you not hire a Garden City weapon crimes defense lawyer?

What to Look For in a Garden City, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer

When you’re hiring a Garden City, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need an attorney who will fight relentlessly for your rights, and won’t rest until you get the justice you deserve.

When deciding on a defense attorney, keep in mind the following:

• Experience: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. Combs Waterkotte has substantial experience defending weapon crimes cases, with multiple former prosecutors and over 10,000 cases handled.
• Reputation: When people talk about your lawyer, you want to hear good things. Combs Waterkotte has a prestigious reputation amongst clients, fellow lawyers, and professional associations.
• Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of practiced individuals on your side.
• Approach: You want an attorney who puts clients first. At Combs Waterkotte, we take pride in maintaining open lines of communication with all of our clients, and we don’t leave you in the dark with your case.
• Staunch Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want someone only half-prepared. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. Our attorneys always prepare our cases as if we’re going to trial, and prosecutors know that – giving us more leverage in plea negotiations.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Garden City, MO

Weapon crimes can be defended in similar ways to many other criminal allegations. However, these types of cases often hinge on legal defenses like self-defense, and cases can focus less on whether you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”

Here are some of the defense strategies we might use in your case against Garden City, MO, weapon crimes charges:

• Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal charges can be argued that they do not apply. In Missouri, you are allowed to take actions to defend yourself against imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Related to self-defense, you can protect another via the use of force, even a weapon. Some weapon charges can be dropped if this is the case, just like with self-defense.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine states that you are authorized to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and those in your home. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the force used must be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is built off of castle doctrine. The state of Missouri determines that you have no requirement to retreat before using force (including weapons) to defend yourself, as long as you were permitted to be in that location in the first place.
• Necessity: Necessity applies to situations where you were forced to do something illegal in order to stop something worse. Perhaps you stole a weapon that you knew was going to be misused. You could be charged with theft, but preventing a greater harm may legally justify your actions.
• Duress: If you weren’t a willing participant in a criminal action, but you were forced to do so, duress could be a valid excuse. For example, if someone threatened your family and made you carry a weapon into a government building, you could claim duress as a defense.
• Lack of Intent: Some weapon crimes require intent to be guilty. For example, giving a blackjack to someone younger than 18 is not allowed without approval from their parent/guardian. If you honestly thought this person had parental permission, though, you could be exempt due to a lack of intent.

Garden City, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Looking For a Weapon Crimes Defense Attorney in Garden City, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte As Soon As Possible

Weapon crimes in Garden City are serious business. When you’re up against them, you have to have a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer to protect your rights. You need Combs Waterkotte.

When we take the case, you’re getting a team that is dedicated to fighting for your rights. Our team is entirely focused on finding good results for your case, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the resources and expertice that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

Get a hold of us now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.