The Second Amendment of the Constitution makes it clear that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms.
That being said, each state has the right to decide how guns are going to be controlled within their borders.
Pennsylvania is a state that is strict when it comes to the type of weapons an individual can possess.
The state is also firm about who has the right to possess a firearm, where it can be stored, and under what circumstances it can be carried or used.
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(212) 300-5196If a person violates Pennsylvania’s gun laws, they could find themselves facing long prison sentences and other
consequences that could affect them for the rest of their life. Some of the potential gun crimes a person could be charged with include:
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Featured on Netflix's "Inventing Anna," Todd Spodek brings decades of high-stakes criminal defense experience. His aggressive approach has secured dismissals and acquittals in cases others deemed unwinnable.
A Philadelphia resident was arrested after police discovered multiple firearms in his vehicle during a routine traffic stop, along with several thousand dollars in cash and prepaid cell phones. Prosecutors are now charging him with weapons trafficking under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6111.1, alleging he was involved in the illegal sale and transfer of firearms without a license.
What are the penalties for weapons trafficking in Pennsylvania, and is there any way to challenge the prosecution's claim that I was trafficking rather than simply possessing these firearms?
Weapons trafficking under Pennsylvania law is an extremely serious offense that can carry sentences of up to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $25,000 per count. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to illegally sell or transfer those firearms, not merely that you possessed them — and circumstantial evidence like cash and phones alone does not automatically establish trafficking intent. A strong defense strategy may involve challenging the legality of the initial traffic stop under the Fourth Amendment, contesting the search of your vehicle, and presenting alternative explanations for the items found in your possession. Given the severity of these charges and Pennsylvania's aggressive stance on illegal firearms distribution, you need an experienced weapons defense attorney who understands both state firearms statutes and federal laws like 18 U.S.C. § 922 that may also come into play.
This is general information only. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.
- Possessing a weapon while on probation or parole
- Possessing a firearm with a changed serial number
- Possessing an illegal firearm
- Stealing a firearm
- Using a firearm to commit a crime
- Illegally possessing or selling firearms
When facing a weapons charge, it is critical to work with a
criminal defense attorney who understands Pennsylvania law and the strategies prosecutors
might use in these cases. The right attorney will craft an aggressive yet compassionate defense
that protects your rights and fights for the best possible outcome.
