Phoenix Weapons Crime Attorney

Were You Arrested for a Firearm Offense?

A weapons crime is a criminal act involving the illegally using, selling, possessing or distributing a weapon. An individual can be charged with a weapons crime whether it involved a legal weapon like a gun or knife, or an illegal weapon such as an automatic rifle, grenade, etc.

Weapons crimes are serious criminal offenses that must be handled by a skilled, resourceful and experienced Phoenix weapons crimes lawyer. Attorney Anthony Knowles has years of experience defending clients against a wide range of weapons charges, such as misconduct involving weapons.

Types of Weapon Charges

The following are considered weapon-related crimes:

• Unlawful possession of a weapon
• Unlawful sale of a weapon
• Unlawful distribution of a weapon
• Minor in possession of a weapon
• Weapons trafficking
• Assault with a weapon
• Using a weapon to commit a crime
• Concealing a weapon

Arizona Open & Concealed Carry Laws

The state of Arizona allows for some open/concealed carry laws. According to the Arizona Revised Statutes § 4-229, 244 and ARS 13-3102, there are some locations where concealed or open carrying of a firearm is never permitted, except peace officers on those premises. Those locations include:

This is not a comprehensive list. If you were arrested for carrying a weapon at a location not included on the list above, then contact our firm immediately.

Do You Have to Register A Gun in Arizona?

Arizona firearm laws do not require firearm owners to register said firearms with the State. And to prevent local jurisdictions from imposing some type of registration requirement, the ARS § 13-3108 prevents local jurisdictions from requiring registration.

Discharging a Firearm in Arizona

When is it legal and when is it illegal to discharge a firearm in the state of Arizona? The sweeping legislation on this issue is that it is always illegal to discharge a firearm within city limits. However, the state makes some exceptions to this rule.

For example, people who have a permit to control nuisance wildlife. The state also allows the discharge of a firearm for the purpose of self-defense. According to Arizona deadly force laws, if someone believes that they are under threat of criminal attack, they can discharge a weapon.

Arizona Prohibited Possessor Law

Arizona also has "prohibited possessor" laws, which apply to individuals who are banned from possessing a firearm. ARS § 13-3102 gives five categories of individuals that are prohibited from possessing a firearm. Those include:

1. Someone who has been classified as a danger to themselves or to others
2. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony (felons must request an order of restoration to get their firearm privileges back)
3. Anyone who is currently serving at a correctional/detention center
4. Anyone who is currently serving probation for a violent conviction
5. Undocumented non-citizens (aliens and non-immigrants) with some exceptions

Some individuals can request a Concealed Weapons Permit upon approval and payment of a fee. In order to obtain concealed carrier approval, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen and resident of the state of Arizona, 21 years or older, successfully complete a firearms safety training course and not fall into any of the categories detailed in prohibited possessor laws.

Penalties for Weapons Crimes in Phoenix, AZ

Most weapons crimes are felony offenses, the penalties for these types of crimes are very strict. If you are convicted of a weapons crime, you will face no less than: