Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer Kearney, MO

Weapon Crimes Defense Lawyer, Kearney, 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, and a conviction could put you behind bars for years. On your own, without a leading Kearney weapon crimes defense attorney, you could be labelled as a felon for life for just carrying a weapon in the wrong place.

Secure your rights. Defend your freedom. Contact Combs Waterkotte. Our team of expert criminal defense attorneys, including a former prosecutor, has more than 60 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.

Start your defence immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.

What Do Weapon Laws Cover in Kearney, MO?

MO law covers topics like purchase, possession, and use of guns and other weapons. State laws overlap with federal laws to create a web of regulations. One way they are different is this: 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, the majority of individuals are permitted to carry a firearm, as long as:

1. In the course of carrying the weapon, they don’t enter restricted areas, and
2. They have not had their right to bear arms taken away.

Firearms usage in the state allows for standard target shooting and for self-defense, but several other uses are not legal. These activities mostly consist of those that would threaten others’ safety, such as using the gun in a threatening manner, bringing one to a polling place during an election, or firing it into a building.

One key thing to be aware of – while we’ve talked mostly about state restrictions above, MO allows for individual localities to enforce their own more stringent laws on weapon possession, so to make sure you’re not breaking any Kearney laws, be sure to go through your local statutes and connect with a gun crime lawyer if you’re unclear on any regulations.

Frequent Weapon Crimes Charges in MO

Even though “weapon crimes” can cover a wide variety of potential allegations and penalties, there are trends in Kearney, MO. 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 Types of Weapon Laws in MO

Firearms aren’t the only regulated thing in Kearney, MO: There are also regulations for non-firearm self-defense items. Typical self-defense items, including pepper spray and stun guns, can legally be carried in MO without any 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 guns, they often are subject to the same limitations, and also cannot be carried into restricted areas.

Once again, though, as mentioned above with guns, different localities are allowed to establish their own restrictions, so reach out to a Kearney weapons law expert if you’re unsure about a particular self-defense tool.

MO Weapon Crimes Sentences:

When you’re up against weapon crimes allegations in MO, there’s no time to mess around. 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 Kearney weapon crimes defense lawyer?

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

When you’re deciding on a Kearney, MO, weapon crimes defense lawyer, it’s not enough to hire just anyone – you need someone who will treat you like a person, not a case number, and won’t rest 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: The more practice your lawyer has in the courtroom, the better. 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: 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: Solo lawyers will try their best, but for serious weapon crimes charges, you want a strong team of practiced 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 keep you informed on any updates with your case.
• Ferocious Defense: If plea negotiations fall through, you don’t want an attorney without a plan. You want someone who knows how to persuade judges and juries. Our attorneys always prepare our defenses as if we’re going to trial, which also helps us out in negotiations.

Weapon Crimes Defenses We Use in Kearney, 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, there are some trends; for example, defendants often claim self-defense, and defensive strategies frequently have less to do with if you “did it” and more on whether the action was “justified.”

Below, we’ve listed common defense strategies our team might use in your defense against Kearney, MO, weapon crimes allegations:

• Self-Defense: Depending on the circumstances, if you claim self-defence, related criminal accusations can be invalidated in many cases. In Missouri, you have the right to protect yourself from imminent danger.
• Defense of Others: Just like with 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 says that you are sanctioned to use force, including weapons, to protect yourself and other people in your home. Caslet doctrine does not require you to retreat prior to defending yourself. However, the amount and type of force used 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 dictates 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: 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 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 another person 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 an underaged person without permission is illegal. If you honestly thought this person had parental permission, though, you could be exempt due to a lack of intent.

Kearney, MO, Weapon Crimes Defense FAQs

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

Weapon crime charges in Kearney are serious business. And if you’re being charged with committing them, you can’t settle for anything less than a leading weapon crimes defense attorney for your case. You need Combs Waterkotte.

With Combs Waterkotte, you’re choosing a firm that doesn’t settle for the second-best outcome. 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 resources and skills that defending these charges demands.

Start building your defense right away at (314) 900-HELP or let us know your charges online for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.