Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Greenwood, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Greenwood, MO. It’s not uncommon for somebody in MO to carry a weapon on themselves, even as simple as a pocket knife – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But something as simple as carrying your self-defense tool into the wrong location can still land you with felony charges.

A lot of weapon crime charges are felonies, some of which could send you to prison for decades, or even the rest of your life. Without the help of a leading Greenwood weapon crimes defense lawyer, you could be looking at lifelong consequences for just forgetting to check your pockets.

Protect your life. Preserve your freedom. Call Combs Waterkotte. Our team of leading weapon crimes defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 80 years of combined legal experience. We are dedicated to our clients and will fight to get you the best possible outcome against your criminal weapons charges.

Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online for a free, confidential consultation.

How Do Weapon Laws Work in Greenwood, MO?

MO law sets rules for the usage, ownership, and transfer of firearms and other weapons. These are all in addition to federal laws, which also set rules for weapons. For example, MO allows gun dealers to sell firearms without performing a background check, but federally-licensed dealers are required to perform one, meaning that you’ll still likely need to go through a background check when you purchase a firearm in MO.

In MO, most individuals are permitted to carry a self-defense weapon, so long as:

1. They do not carry it into certain locations, including schools, government buildings, airports, churches, etc., and
2. They have not had their right to bear arms taken away.

MO allows its citizens the use of guns to shoot targets and for self-defense, but some other activities are illegal. These actions mostly consist of those that would threaten others’ safety, such as threatening someone with a firearm, firing one over a highway, or firing it into a building.

One quick note – although we focused on state restrictions above, MO allows for individual localities to write their own laws on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Greenwood laws, be sure to read your local statutes and consult with a gun crime lawyer if any parts don’t make sense.

Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Greenwood, MO weapon crime charges cover a wide range of alleged crimes, but some charges are more common than others. Here are some of the most common types of cases that we’ve helped defend at Combs Waterkotte:

• 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

Greenwood, MO laws don’t stop at guns, though: You also need to be aware of restrictions for non-firearm self-defense items. Popular self-defense items, including pepper spray and stun guns, are legal to possess in MO without any permits.

Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are are more stringently regulated because they are treated as deadly weapons. This means that even though they are not guns, they frequently have the same limitations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

Once again, though, as mentioned above with guns, different municipalities can have different regulations, so reach out to a Greenwood weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a specific self-defense tool.

MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:

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 Greenwood weapon crimes defense lawyer?

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

When you’re deciding on a Greenwood, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, their abilities and willingness to give your case their all matters – you need a lawyer who will leave no stone unturned, and will keep going until you get the justice you deserve.

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

• Experience: Time in the courtroom gives defense attorneys real-world experience they can bring to your defense. Our lawyers has a wealth of experience defending cases just like yours, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience and over 10,000 cases handled.
• Reputation: You want to work with someone who is known for success. Combs Waterkotte has a distinguished reputation amongst former clients, fellow lawyers, and professional organizations.
• Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals on your side.
• Approach: You want an attorney who puts clients first. At Combs Waterkotte, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, and we make sure you know what we’re working on with your case.
• Staunch Defense: If your case isn’t diverted and you end up in trial, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who knows how to persuade judges and juries. Our attorneys always construct 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 Greenwood, MO

Weapon crimes will generally progress through the legal system the same way as any other criminal charges. However, they are more likely to involve tactics like claiming self-defense, and cases can focus less on if you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”

Here are some of the defense strategies our team might use in your defense against Greenwood, MO, weapon crimes charges:

• Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal accusations can may not actually be applicable to you. In Missouri, you have the right to protect yourself from imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Just like with self-defense, you can take action to protect another person from harm. Some weapon charges are invalidated if you were protecting another, as they would be with self-defence.
• Castle Doctrine: MO castle doctrine dictates that you are allowed to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and those who are in your dwelling. While you do not have a duty to retreat, the force you use needs to be proportionate to the force of the perceived threat.
• Stand Your Ground: Stand your ground is related to castle doctrine. This law in Missouri dictates that you can use force and/or weapons to defend yourself, even outside of your home, as long as you are allowed permitted to be wherever you are.
• Necessity: If you find yourself in a tight spot, where something bad is going to happen, and the only way you can stop it is by breaking a law, you can claim necessity. Perhaps you knew someone at risk of self harm, and to protect them, gave their weapons to someone who legally wasn’t allowed to possess them. This is technically against the law, but you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
• Duress: When you unwillingly broke the law, because someone forced you to do so, you can claim duress as a defense. An example of this might be if you removed the serial numbers of a firearm, defacing it, but only did so because someone threatened you.
• Lack of Intent: Depending on the exact charge, you might be able to claim that your violation was unintentional. For example, giving a blackjack to an underaged person without permission is illegal. However, if you honestly thought the person was older, you would not have had intent.

Greenwood, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Facing Weapon Crimes Charges in Greenwood, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away

Weapon crimes in Greenwood are serious business. If a prosecutor is trying to put you in prison for them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense lawyer fight against the charges. You need Combs Waterkotte.

When you hire us, you’re not just getting a law firm that will take the first deal offered and call it a day. Our team is all about getting you good results, and that means fighting to get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and expertice that you need in your corner.

Protect your rights by calling us now at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.