Weapons Charges Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia 

Being charged with a crime involving a weapon is incredibly serious. If convicted, you could face consequences such as large fines, probation, or even jail time. To give yourself the best chance at a successful outcome, it’s important to hire a criminal defense attorney experienced in weapons charges. 

At my firm — Kyle H. Jarzmik Law — I defend the rights of clients facing a wide variety of weapons charges. Whether your case involves a gun, a knife, or another weapon, I am prepared to investigate the details of your arrest and help you build a strong defense. As a former criminal prosecutor, I know how the other side operates. I’m prepared to use my unique insights to help you anticipate potential tactics from the prosecution and craft arguments to refute them.  

From my office in Atlanta, Georgia, I proudly serve clients in Lawrenceville, Cumming, and throughout the surrounding area. Contact me today if you were recently charged with a weapon-related offense in Fulton County, Cobb County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Forsyth County, Douglas County, Coweta County, or Carroll County. 

Common Weapons Charges in Georgia 

In the state of Georgia, there are many reasons why a person can be arrested for a weapon-related crime. Some of the most common charges include: 

• Unlawful possession of a weapon. It is against the law in Georgia to knowingly possess a prohibited weapon — such as a sawed-off shotgun, sawed-off rifle, machine gun, gun equipped with a silencer, or a dangerous weapon like a rocket launcher, mortar, or hand grenade — unless it has been legally registered in accordance with the dictates of the National Firearms Act. 

• Carrying a weapon in Unauthorized Places. You cannot carry or attempt to bring a weapon into an airport, courthouse, school safety zones, jails, prisons, and other unauthorized locations.

• Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. If you’ve been convicted of a felony, you are legally prohibited from possessing firearms, such as guns and tasers, in the state of Georgia unless you have been granted a pardon that allows you to do so. 

• Possessing a firearm as a minor. Georgia law bars minors under the age of 18 from possessing a firearm. However, minors may have a handgun if they meet certain exceptions, such as using it to legally hunt. 

• Illegal use of a weapon. Even if you legally possess a weapon, there are ways of using that are considered illegal. These include actions such as pointing a gun (loaded or unloaded) at someone intentionally and without a legal rationale like self-defense; and firing a gun while under the influence of alcohol or certain types of drugs. 

If you’ve been accused of one of the above crimes, or another weapons charge in the state of Georgia, reach out to me for knowledgeable and aggressive representation. 

Does Georgia Have an Open Handgun Carry Law? 

Georgia is an open carry state, a person can generally carry a handgun (openly or concealed) in most public spaces without a permit, unless they are legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. These laws also allow lawful weapons carriers to carry firearms in vehicles they own. 

Where Are Weapons Prohibited in Georgia? 

As mentioned previously, a person can legally carry a firearm in most places in Georgia. However, there are some spaceswhere no one can carry a firearm unless they are specifically authorized to do so. These spaces include: 

• Courthouses, jails, and prisons 

• Places of worship 

• Within 150 feet of any active polling place 

• Certain state mental health facilities 

• The premises of nuclear power facilities 

• Restricted access areas of commercial service airports, in or beyond airport security screening checkpoints 

• K-12 school properties, buildings, buses, and other school-funded transportation vehicles 

It’s important to know the firearm rules for a space before carrying a firearm into one. This can help you avoid a receiving a weapons charge and prevent you from facing serious penalties. 

Possible Penalties for Weapons Charges in Georgia 

The penalties of a weapons charge will depend on whether it is considered a misdemeanor or a felony and whether it someone’s first offense.  

For example, a person charged with their first offense of carrying a weapon without a license will likely be charged with a misdemeanor, and they may face either a fine, probation, and possibly up to 12 months in jail. 

Unlawful possession of a firearm, on the other hand, is considered a felony and can result in a prison sentence of five years. 

Hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney is crucial to the outcome of your weapons charge. In order to avoid major penalties, you’ll need someone in your corner who knows how to strategically navigate the legal process and advocate on your behalf. 

Weapons Charges Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia 

For dedicated representation in your weapons-related case, reach out to me at Kyle H. Jarzmik Law. I defend the rights of clients facing weapons charges in Lawrenceville, Cumming, and throughout the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Allow me to fight for your future and your reputation. Contact me today to schedule a consultation.