Weapons Offenses

Connecticut Weapons Charges: Legal Defense You Need

Facing weapons charges in Connecticut can feel overwhelming. The state’s strict gun laws and severe penalties make it essential to understand your rights and secure experienced legal representation immediately. These crimes include:

• Unlawful possession
• Carrying without a permit
• Assault weapon charges

It’s important to defend yourself, as the consequences for these crimes can include substantial prison time, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record that affects your future employment, housing, and civil rights.

At Jacobs & Dow, LLC, our criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended Connecticut clients against weapons charges for over 60 years. With a deep understanding of state and federal firearms laws, we build strategic defenses designed to protect your rights and preserve your freedom..

Understanding Connecticut’s Weapons Offense Laws

Connecticut maintains some of the nation’s strictest weapons regulations. These laws cover firearms, dangerous weapons, and assault weapons, with violations carrying serious criminal penalties. The state’s comprehensive approach to weapons regulation means that even seemingly minor infractions can result in felony charges.

Connecticut’s weapons laws are designed to prevent gun violence and keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. However, these well-intentioned regulations can sometimes ensnare law-abiding citizens who make honest mistakes or find themselves in unexpected situations.

Specific Connecticut Weapon Offenses

1. Carrying a Pistol or Revolver Without a Permit

Connecticut requires permits for carrying pistols and revolvers. Violating this requirement represents one of the most serious weapons offenses in the state. Even if you legally own a firearm, carrying it without the proper permit can result in felony charges.

This offense applies to both concealed and open carry situations. Connecticut does not recognize concealed carry permits from other states, meaning that visitors with valid permits from their home states may still face charges if they carry firearms in Connecticut.

The penalties for carrying without a permit can include significant prison time, substantial fines, and the permanent loss of your right to own firearms. Additionally, this conviction can affect your ability to obtain professional licenses and may impact your employment opportunities.

2. Carrying Dangerous Weapons

Connecticut law prohibits carrying various dangerous weapons, including switchblade knives, brass knuckles, blackjacks, and certain types of BB guns. The definition of a “dangerous weapon” is broader than many people realize and can include items that seem harmless in other contexts.

This offense often catches people off guard because the weapons involved may not seem particularly dangerous. However, Connecticut takes a strict approach to dangerous weapons, and violations can result in both fines and imprisonment.

The law also prohibits carrying these weapons in specific locations, such as schools, government buildings, and other sensitive areas. Enhanced penalties apply when dangerous weapons are carried in these restricted zones.

3. Possession of Assault Weapons

Connecticut has implemented strict regulations on assault weapons following several high-profile incidents. The state maintains a detailed list of prohibited weapons, and illegal possession can lead to mandatory minimum prison sentences.

These laws have been significantly strengthened in recent years, and they include grandfather clauses that affect weapons purchased before certain dates. However, even weapons that were legally owned before the law changed must be properly registered and stored according to current regulations.

Assault weapon charges often involve complex legal questions about weapon classification, registration requirements, and compliance with storage laws. These cases require detailed knowledge of both current and historical Connecticut weapons regulations.

Additional Serious Weapons Offenses

• Criminal Possession of a Firearm applies to individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions or other legal restrictions. This charge often accompanies other criminal charges and can significantly increase potential penalties.
• Unlawful Discharge of Firearms includes negligent or intentional discharge of firearms in a manner that endangers others. This offense can occur in various contexts, from hunting accidents to reckless behavior in residential areas.
• Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds represents a particularly serious offense that can result in felony charges. Connecticut takes school safety extremely seriously, and violations involving weapons on school property carry enhanced penalties.

Understanding the Penalties for Weapons Offenses

Connecticut imposes severe penalties for weapons offenses, and the consequences extend far beyond fines and imprisonment. A weapons conviction can fundamentally alter your life, affecting your ability to work, live where you choose, and maintain your civil rights.

Criminal Penalties

Most weapons offenses in Connecticut are charged as felonies, which carry potential prison sentences ranging from one year to several decades, depending on the specific charge and circumstances. Fines can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and judges often impose both imprisonment and financial penalties.

Mandatory minimum sentences apply to certain weapons offenses, particularly those involving assault weapons or repeat offenders. These mandatory minimums limit judicial discretion and can result in substantial prison time, even for first-time offenders.

Long-term Consequences

The impact of a weapons conviction extends far beyond the immediate criminal penalties. A felony conviction creates a permanent criminal record that affects numerous aspects of your life:

• Employment Limitations: Many employers conduct background checks and may refuse to hire individuals with weapons convictions. Professional licenses may be revoked or denied, particularly in fields like healthcare, education, and finance.
• Housing Restrictions: Landlords often screen potential tenants for criminal history, and a weapons conviction can make it difficult to secure housing. Federal housing assistance programs typically exclude individuals with certain criminal convictions.
• Loss of Civil Rights: Felony convictions result in the permanent loss of your right to possess firearms. You may also lose the right to vote, serve on juries, or hold certain public offices.
• Immigration Consequences: Non-citizens face potential deportation or denial of naturalization applications following weapons convictions.

Factors That Affect Penalties

Several factors can influence the severity of penalties in weapons cases:

• Prior Convictions: Previous felony convictions, particularly those involving weapons or violence, can lead to enhanced penalties under Connecticut’s persistent offender statutes.
• Location: Possessing weapons in sensitive areas like schools, government buildings, or correctional institutions typically results in harsher penalties.
• Intent: The purpose behind weapon possession or use significantly affects charging decisions and potential penalties. Weapons possessed for criminal purposes carry more severe consequences than those possessed for protection or sport.
• Quantity and Type: The number and type of weapons involved can escalate charges. Possession of multiple firearms or particularly dangerous weapons often results in additional charges.

How Jacobs & Dow, LLC Can Protect Your Rights

For over 60 years, Jacobs & Dow, LLC has successfully represented Connecticut clients charged with crimes ranging from DUIs to white-collar crimes to high-profile prosecutions. Our criminal defense lawyers defend people accused of crimes in all federal and state courts of Connecticut, bringing decades of experience to every weapons case. If you have been charged with a weapons offense, contact us today to learn more.