Can You Be Charged for Selling Stolen Guns in Pennsylvania?

Selling a stolen firearm is a serious offense under PA law. You can be charged with a second-degree felony just for receiving stolen property and a first-degree felony if you’re found to be in the business of selling stolen guns (or other types of stolen property). Not knowing the property was stolen may be a defense to charges of receiving and selling stolen firearms. However, the prosecution can seek to back up its claims against you by putting forth any evidence it can obtain that you knew or should have known the guns you sold were stolen. It’s still important to have a lawyer on your side for charges of receiving or selling a stolen firearm, even if you truly didn’t know the weapon had been stolen.

Can You Be Charged for Distributing Illegal Weapons in Pennsylvania?

Stolen guns aren’t the only kinds of weapons you can get in trouble for selling. Under PA law (statute Bombs Grenades Machine guns Sawed-off shotguns (if the barrel is less than 18 inches) Blackjack batons Metal knuckles Tasers If caught selling, distributing, or dealing in these illegal weapons or otherwise violating this section of PA law, you could be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. That means the potential for up to five years of jail time and fines of up to $10,000.

How Serious Are Firearm Theft and Unlawful Gun Sales Charges?

Although stealing a firearm, receiving a stolen gun, and selling a stolen gun may not be inherently violent offenses, the consequences of a conviction of these charges are as severe as those of violent crimes. Charges for any of these violations can constitute felonies. Depending on the degree of the crime with which you are charged, the potential penalties could encompass up to 10 years or even 20 years of jail time.

Luzerne County Gun Theft and Illegal Sales Lawyers | Firearms and Weapons Trafficking Defense Attorney Kingston, PA

Firearms and Weapons Trafficking Defense Attorney in Kingston, PA, Fight for Clients Accused of Stealing Firearms and Selling Stolen Guns in Luzerne County, Lackawanna County, Columbia County, and Throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania

The transfer of firearms is strictly regulated in Pennsylvania. Unlawful transfers of guns, like those that occur through firearm theft or illegal gun sales practices, may bring about criminal charges. If you’re facing any form of weapons offense charges, our Luzerne County gun theft and illegal sales lawyers can help you develop a strong defense and increase the likelihood of a more positive resolution of this criminal matter.

With his background as a former Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney, as well as his 15 years of criminal law practice, lead attorney and founder of Muckler Law, LLC, Matthew T. Muckler has extensive experience defending against charges like yours. For a confidential free consultation, contact us today.

Facing Gun Theft and Illegal Sales Charges in Luzerne County, PA?

Don’t underestimate the legal trouble accusations of gun theft and unlawful gun sales can bring. Charges of stealing firearms and receiving or selling stolen guns are a big deal in Pennsylvania. Depending on what exactly you are charged with, you might be facing a decade or more in prison, so you need to take this matter seriously and take action promptly.

Get Help From Our Local Luzerne County Gun Theft and Illegal Sales Lawyers

If you’ve been charged with theft or unlawful sales of firearms in Northeastern Pennsylvania, you don’t have to look far to find skilled legal representation. A firearms and weapons trafficking defense attorney in Kingston, PA, is available to assist you at Muckler Law, LLC.

Our team serves clients throughout Luzerne County, Lackawanna County, Columbia County, and beyond, including:

Wilkes-Barre
Nanticoke
Pittston
Hazleton
Hazle Township
Plains Township
Hanover Township
Kingston Township
Dallas Township
Butler Township

Let us put our extensive knowledge of the local legal system to work in favor of your defense. Trusting your case to our skilled attorneys offers you peace of mind. No matter what awaits you in the criminal legal process, you can rely on your attorney to be your advocate at every step.

Firearms Theft Charges

Firearm theft is one of the most serious theft charges in Pennsylvania. The theft of a firearm constitutes a second-degree felony under Pennsylvania law (statute Title 18 Pa. C.S. Section 3903). This statute covers the theft of any type of gun or firearm, including:

Single-shot pistols
Revolvers
Semi-automatic pistols
Other types of handguns
Rifles
Shotguns
Other types of long guns

For a second-degree felony conviction in Pennsylvania, you might be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and owe a fine of up to $25,000. To have a better chance of a more favorable outcome, you should seek the services of seasoned Luzerne County gun theft and illegal sales lawyers.

Receiving and Selling Stolen Gun Charges

You don’t have to be the one who personally steals a gun to face charges related to firearm theft. Receiving stolen property, when that property is a firearm, can also get you charged with a second-degree felony.

Just as it’s unlawful to receive or possess stolen property, it’s illegal to sell a stolen gun and profit off of the act of theft, regardless of who committed it. If the prosecution is able to make the case that you received a stolen gun and are engaged in “the business of buying or selling stolen property,” you might be facing a first-degree felony charge, which carries even more severe gun and weapon charges penalties. In addition to a fine of up to $25,000, you could spend up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The consequences of such serious criminal charges won’t go away on their own. If you have been accused of selling a stolen firearm, don’t wait any longer to hire experienced Luzerne County gun theft and illegal sales lawyers to fight for you.

Other Types of Illegal Gun Sales Crimes

Gun sales in Pennsylvania are subject to a variety of rules and regulations. Examples of other instances in which a seller may be charged with a crime, besides sales of stolen firearms, include:

Selling a gun to a purchaser who has not fully or properly completed the required gun permit forms
Selling or delivering a firearm before the required 48-hour waiting period is over
Selling a gun to any “person not to possess a firearm,” or a person who is ineligible to legally possess or use a gun, as established under statute 18 Pa.C.S. Section 6105 of Pennsylvania law

Complying with all laws involving gun sales as established by statute Pa.C.S. Section 6111 places on you, the seller, a great deal of responsibility. Penalties for a second-degree misdemeanor charge that arises out of facilitating illegal gun sales in the role of a licensed dealer or seller include up to two years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

Knowingly selling the gun to a purchaser who is ineligible for gun ownership in PA is a more severe offense, charged as a third-degree felony. For this crime, you may face up to seven years in prison and $15,000 in fines. In addition to these serious consequences, the seller may have their license to sell firearms revoked for three years.

Defenses Luzerne County Gun Theft and Illegal Sales Lawyers May Use in Your Legal Strategy

How you go about defending against charges of gun theft or unlawful firearm sales depends on the facts of your unique case. Some of the possible arguments a firearms and weapons trafficking defense attorney in Kingston, PA, could potentially consider include:

False accusations or mistaken identity, if you didn’t steal or sell the gun
Lack of evidence that the firearm was actually in your possession or that you knew it was in your possession
Permission to use the gun or lack of intent to deprive the owner of the firearm, such that your possession of the weapon doesn’t constitute theft
Lack of knowledge that the firearm you received, bought, or sold was stolen
Improper procedures for gathering the evidence against you, such as law enforcement conducting illegal searches, seizures, or arrests

Your attorney may develop a robust argument that draws attention to all of the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. If it’s in your best interest to do so, your lawyer may seek to negotiate a plea bargain through which you could face lesser charges or lighter sentences.

Once your lawyers are familiar with the unique facts of your case, they can start evaluating the different options available to you and crafting a strong defense strategy for you.

Contact the Luzerne County Gun Theft and Illegal Sales Lawyers at Muckler Law, LLC, Today for a Free Consultation

Before you can begin sorting out the legal issues and planning your defense strategy, you need to consult the professionals. Knowledge of the law and the legal process is critical to preparing a strong defense against charges of gun theft and unlawful sales.

For help from a knowledgeable firearm theft and illegal sales attorney in Kingston, PA, contact Muckler Law, LLC, online or call 570-908-4069 today.

Luzerne County Gun Theft and Illegal Sales Lawyers