Weapons Offenses

Weapons offenses include a range of different activities, including trafficking in firearms, carrying a concealed weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, for example. 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, weapons offenses by both federal and state authorities. His experience and knowledge serve as invaluable assets to his clients.

For complete details about Mr. Petruzzi’s background, expertise, and experience, click here.

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

18 USC Sec. 922 –

(a) It shall be unlawful –

(1) for any person –

(A) except a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or in the course of such business to ship, transport, or receive any firearm in interstate or foreign commerce.

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

790.15 Discharging firearm in public.–

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) or subsection (3), any person who knowingly discharges a firearm in any public place or on the right-of-way of any paved public road, highway, or street or whosoever knowingly discharges any firearm over the right-of-way of any paved public road, highway, or street or over any occupied premises is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s.775.083. This section does not apply to a person lawfully defending life or property or performing official duties requiring the discharge of a firearm or to a person discharging a firearm on public roads or properties expressly approved for hunting by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or Division of Forestry.

(2) Any occupant of any vehicle who knowingly and willfully discharges any firearm from the vehicle within 1,000 feet of any person commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082, s.775.083, or s.775.084.

(3) Any driver or owner of any vehicle, whether or not the owner of the vehicle is occupying the vehicle, who knowingly directs any other person to discharge any firearm from the vehicle commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082, s.775.083, or s.775.084.