Criminal Possession of a Weapon is a very serious crime, especially in the Bronx, because New York City has some of the toughest Hand Gun Laws in the country. And the Bronx is one of the five boroughs that comprise NYC. It is important to consult with a Bronx Gun Crime Lawyer, if you are caught in possession of an illegal handgun in New York, to avoid the stiff penalties. If you are caught with an illegally loaded unlicensed handgun in the Bronx, under the New York State and New York City Law you will be charged with a felony, which if you are convicted you could face a sentence with a minimum mandatory prison time of three and a half years. Other neighboring areas, such as Long Island, have different guns laws. Both Nassau County and Suffolk County (which comprise Long Island) have different criminal penalties for a conviction of possession of a gun. It is important to note that if the Gun is not licensed in NYC then it is considered unregistered regardless of a valid license in another jurisdiction. A valid NYC permit allows you to carry your handgun in all boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan).

The Bronx Office of the District Attorney believes that strict laws regarding Gun Possession will deter others from bringing guns into New York City. For this reason, law enforcement does not accept "ignorance of the law" as a valid criminal defense. However, in some cases there are some exceptions which may get the felony reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed altogether. An illegal search by the NYPD may discount the findings of the weapon, which will not be allowed as evidence, ultimately dismissing the case. An instance that may reduce the charges is if the weapon in question is inoperable. There is another concept known as Transitory Possession which can be claimed when a gun or weapon is secured and being brought to authorities to be taken off the streets. If Transitory Possession can be proven, the case will be dismissed. The final defense to be discussed in this writing is a potential defense against Criminal Possession of a Weapon is if the gun is not loaded in your home or workplace. For more information call our office to speak to a Bronx Criminal Lawyer who can discuss your Gun Crime and Gun Possession case with a free consultation.

Although we have primarily focused on guns, there are a number of other weapons that are illegal and carry a Criminal Weapons Possession Charge including but not limited to; knives, switchblades, a gravity knife, billy clubs, nunchucks, box cutters, mace, razors, etc.

Many times residents of other states try to transport their guns or weapons into or through New York without knowing all of the New York Laws. New York State requires that any handgun transported into or through the state must have a NY license and registration. If they are not properly registered in New York State, they are considered illegal. Therefore if you are arrested for illegally transporting any weapon into the Bronx, it is crucial that you speak to a Bronx Criminal Defense Lawyer or Gun Crimes lawyer who can advise and assist you through the Bronx Criminal Court Justice System. At Stephen Bilkis & Associates we have attorneys that have the experience and knowledge to answer your questions and handle your Weapons Possessions Case and dealing with the Bronx Office of the District Attorney. If you are caught with a gun or weapon call us at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW or contact us online for a free consultation and one of our Bronx Criminal Lawyers will be available to speak with you and discuss a strategy for your criminal case.