Guns and Weapons Charges
The Rhode Island “Firearms Act”, or weapons statute, can be found at RIGL 11-47. The statute sets out a number of criminal acts relating to the possession and/or use of a concealed weapon. These crimes are felonies and carry serious penalties if convicted.
RIGL 11-47-8 is the statute concerning possession of a firearm. It is unlawful to carry a pistol on your person or in a vehicle without a proper license. A first conviction under this statute includes a prison sentence of at least one (1) year and not more than ten (10) years in addition to a fine up to $10,000.00 or both.
Possession of other weapons also carries serious penalties. Possession of a sawed off shotgun can result in up to ten years in prison and $5,000.00 in fines. Possession of other illegal weapons, such as machetes, clubs, or illegal martial arts weapons, can result in a year in prison and $1,000.00 fine.
Other weapons charges which you may face include:
To make a proper defense more difficult, RIGL 11-47-4 holds that being armed, in and of itself, is sufficient evidence to show intent to commit a crime of violence.
These are very serious charges and you may be facing jail time if caught with an unlicensed gun of any kind. Contact our office right away for a free consultation so that we may begin working on your defense.
RIGL 11-47-8 is the statute concerning possession of a firearm. It is unlawful to carry a pistol on your person or in a vehicle without a proper license. A first conviction under this statute includes a prison sentence of at least one (1) year and not more than ten (10) years in addition to a fine up to $10,000.00 or both.
Possession of other weapons also carries serious penalties. Possession of a sawed off shotgun can result in up to ten years in prison and $5,000.00 in fines. Possession of other illegal weapons, such as machetes, clubs, or illegal martial arts weapons, can result in a year in prison and $1,000.00 fine.
Other weapons charges which you may face include:
- Larceny of a weapon;
- Carrying a dangerous weapon when committing a crime of violence;
- Using a firearm when committing a crime of violence;
- Carrying a stolen firearm when committing a crime of violence;
- Possession during commission of a felony;
- Possession of a gun while intending to deliver or sell drugs;
- Possession of arms by a person convicted of a crime of violence or who is a fugitive from justice.
To make a proper defense more difficult, RIGL 11-47-4 holds that being armed, in and of itself, is sufficient evidence to show intent to commit a crime of violence.
These are very serious charges and you may be facing jail time if caught with an unlicensed gun of any kind. Contact our office right away for a free consultation so that we may begin working on your defense.
