Offenses Involving Concealed Weapons Can Have A Greater Consequence

Statutes of carrying a concealed weapon apply to all individuals not licensed to carry a concealed weapon on their person and make it unlawful to do so. An example of a weapon that this statute seeks to prevent from being carried in a concealed manner is a firearm, in addition to other prohibited weapons. Both federal and Florida law include heavy fines and severe criminal penalties, including potential mandatory/minimum sentences of up to 25 years and maximum potential sentences of up to life. Mr. Petruzzi has represented numerous individuals charged with, or under investigation for, carrying a concealed weapon offenses by both federal and state authorities. The team has also handled myriad other firearms-related offenses. Attorney Petruzzi’s experience and knowledge serve as invaluable assets to his clients.

Federal offenses of carrying a concealed weapon are investigated and prosecuted by various agencies, including the FBI, ATF, Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. Some common federal statutes criminalizing carrying a concealed weapon include:

18 USC Sec. 930 –

(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a federal facility (other than a federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Florida carrying a concealed weapon offenses are investigated and prosecuted by various state and local law enforcement agencies. Some common Florida statutes criminalizing carrying a concealed weapon include:

790.01 Carrying concealed weapons –

(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(2) A person who carries a concealed firearm on or about his or her person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

(3) This section does not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm pursuant to the provisions of s. 790.06.

(4) It is not a violation of this section for a person to carry for purposes of lawful self-defense, in a concealed manner:

(a) A self-defense chemical spray.

(b) A nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes.

(5) This section does not preclude any prosecution for the use of an electric weapon or device, a dart-firing stun gun, or a self-defense chemical spray during the commission of any criminal offense under s. 790.07, s. 790.10, s. 790.23, or s. 790.235, or for any other criminal offense.