Some of the most common firearm offenses are carrying weapons without a license; carrying a weapon in unauthorized locations such as schools; possessing a weapon such as a machine gun, silencer, or shotgun; pointing a gun at someone; or discharging a gun without legal justification. One of the most common cases is the possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
Oftentimes people previously convicted of a felony forget that one of their conditions is that they are not allowed to possess a firearm. Something as innocuous as a routine traffic stop results in an investigation by the traffic officer. If he or she finds a firearm in the vehicle of someone trying to protect themselves, that can carry as little as one year in jail and up to five years in prison. There may be many other complications with probation of other cases from a previous case that may arise. If you are facing charges related to firearms, an experienced gun attorney could help you fight for your rights and future.
Atlanta has several popular public areas and private lands for hunting. One of the most popular Wildlife Management Areas near Atlanta is Pigeon Mountain in northwest Georgia. Dawson Forest in Blue Ridge is another area popular for deer hunting which also has some duck hunting as well.
Hunters usually use shotguns and rifles. However, some hunters carry handguns, too. It is important that a person obtains a license for using guns for hunting before going out in these wildlife management areas with their firearms. Some of the consequences and punishments for hunting without a license carry stiff penalties.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources listed the five most common infractions by hunters. The first is hunting without a license; another is being in possession of illegally taken wildlife. Extremely common is hunting on private land without permission, which is the equivalent of trespassing. Also baiting deer and other wildlife to attract them to where the hunter is to shoot them is against the law. Finally, one of the most common offenses is the hunter not being properly equipped with fluorescent arms to protect himself and protect those around him in safety when hunting in Georgia lands.
Game Wardens check for violations in many ways. They may wait at a person’s vehicle for their return. Game Wardens may set roadblocks near hunting areas and do license checks and vehicle searches in order to determine if there is a violation. Game Wardens may receive a tip from someone that they saw a hunter doing something illegal. They may follow a person to their home to catch them for violations of Georgia Hunting Laws. Game Wardens also stop hunters in the woods while they are in the middle of hunting and check their licenses. They can confiscate equipment used for game violations including the car, four-wheelers, SUV, boat, or gun.
As long as someone is not a convicted felon, it is okay to transport guns in a gun case in a vehicle in Georgia. There are other restrictions related to machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, silencers, and weapons that must be registered under the Federal National Firearms Act before a person can transport them. It is best to consult a lawyer to look at the particular situation, the weapons, and the method of transport. There are certain ways to carry a gun in the car that, if police officers find a weapon in that manner, they may charge the person with illegally possessing a concealed weapon or a dangerous weapon.
One of the most important things to do if someone owns a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, or silencer is to consult with a lawyer. The lawyer may advise them to go through the process of registration through the National Firearms Act. Registration may prevent a person from being charged with unlawful possession in Georgia. If an individual goes through this registration process, the possession of a sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, other dangerous weapons, or silencers will exempt them from the charge of unlawful possession.
Registration involves listing the weapon with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and going through an approval process with the local law enforcement officer, often a sheriff or police chief. The person must have an extensive background check. They will be required to give their fingerprints and a photograph to be associated with their particular weapon in the National Firearms Registry. They also potentially pay a tax for possessing a weapon registered under the National Firearms Act.
Many counties and municipalities in Georgia have their own rules, regulations, and ordinances applicable to different areas. If someone is charged with a violation of the local ordinance, county ordinance, or regulations they should consult with an experienced lawyer before making any decision about the defense of their case.
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