Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Butler, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Butler, MO. If you live in MO, you’ve probably known or been around someone who either concealed or open carried a weapon – Missouri takes the right to bear arms seriously. But you can still face serious criminal charges if you improperly use a weapon.

A high portion of weapons charges are felonies, which means you are facing potentially years in prison if convicted. On your own, without a leading Butler weapon crimes defense attorney, you could permanently throw your life off course for just protecting yourself and your family.

Protect your life. Defend your freedom. Contact Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert weapons crime defense lawyers, 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 in your weapons charge defense case.

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

How Do Weapon Laws Work in Butler, MO?

MO law sets regulations for both guns and other deadly weapons. These are all in addition to federal laws, which also set rules for weapons. Here’s an interesting example: MO does not require a background check for individuals to purchase a gun, but federally-licensed dealers are required to conduct 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 bring it into schools, government offices, places of worship, or other restricted areas; and
2. They have not lost their right to carry a firearm.

Firearms usage in the state allows for standard target shooting and for self-defense, but some other uses are not allowed. These actions mostly are those that would endanger others, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, firing one while intoxicated, or using one while committing another crime.

One important point – although we focused on state restrictions above, MO allows for individual municipalities to make their own more stringent laws related to weapons, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Butler laws, be sure to check your local statutes and consult with a gun crime lawyer if there’s any part you’re having trouble understanding.

Typical Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Butler, MO. Here are criminal allegations that Combs Waterkotte specializes in defending:

• 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 Types of Weapon Laws in MO

Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Butler, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense instruments, namely pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without special permits.

Other tools, such as knives, blackjacks, and batons, are special in that they are designated as deadly weapons. With this classification, even though they are not firearms, they typically have the same regulations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

Once again, though, as mentioned above related to guns, different localities are allowed to establish their own regulations, so reach out to a Butler weapons law expert if the law isn’t clear on a specific self-defense tool.

MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:

If you’re up against allegations for weapons crimes in MO, you need to call an attorney right away. Here’s what you could be facing if you don’t hire a weapon crimes defense attorney before it’s too late:

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

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

When you’re deciding on a Butler, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, choosing the right one can make all the difference – you need a lawyer who will fight relentlessly for your rights, and won’t stop until you get the justice you deserve.

Here are some of the main things to look for when choosing a lawyer to represent you:

• Experience: More experienced lawyers have seen more, and will be able to handle more. Our lawyers has substantial experience defending cases just like yours, with a combined more than 60 years of legal experience and over 10,000 cases handled.
• Reputation: If you ask someone about their experience with your defense attorney, you’ll want to hear a glowing review. Combs Waterkotte has a distinguished reputation amongst previous clients, other law firms, and professional bodies.
• Resources: When you’re up against serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of experienced individuals on your side.
• Approach: When you hire a lawyer, you want someone who puts you first. At Combs Waterkotte, our phones are ready for your call 24/7, and we don’t leave you in the dark with your case.
• Ferocious Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who’s ready to go to battle. Our attorneys always build our cases as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.

Common Weapon Crimes Defenses in Butler, MO

Weapon crimes are, on a fundamental level, just like most other criminal allegations: You are charged, negotiate, and if necessary, go to trial. 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 what the defendant did was “justified.”

In the following list, you can ready about some effective defense tactics we might use in your defense against Butler, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

• Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal charges can may not actually be applicable to you. In Missouri, you are allowed to take actions to protect yourself from imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Just like with self-defense, you are allowed to use force to defend another person. 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 authorized to use force, including weapons, to defend yourself and other people who are in your dwelling. You do not need to retreat before resorting to force, but the amount and type of force you use needs to 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 in an effort to scare off someone threatening you, you fired a warning shot. You could be accused of an unlawful discharge, but you needed to do so to prevent a greater harm.
• Duress: If you did not want to commit a crime, but you were forced to do so, you can use duress as a legal justification. 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: If you didn’t mean to break the law, depending on what exactly it was, a lack of intent can protect you from punishment. 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.

Butler, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

Facing Weapon Crimes Charges in Butler, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Immediately

Weapon crime allegations in Butler are no joke. If the state is charging you with them, you need a leading weapon crimes defense attorney for your case. You need Combs Waterkotte.

With Combs Waterkotte, you’re not just getting a law firm that will take the first deal offered and call it a day. Our team is entirely focused on finding good results for your case, and that means not stopping until we get the best possible outcome for you. We have the practice and expertice that it takes to fight weapon crime charges.

Speak with a representative today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.