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Leading Gun Crimes Defense Attorney in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Gun crime

John Caudill Attorney at Law knows Kentucky has some of the most liberal gun laws in the country, and allows any person 21 years or older who is legally able to purchase a firearm to carry it concealed in public, without a permit, or background check.

However, there are both state and federal restrictions when it comes to purchasing, selling, and owning guns, which can lead to significant legal penalties, including jail time.

Whether this is your first arrest for unlawful possession of a handgun, a subsequent arrest for a major felony involving the use of a weapon, or if you are being investigated or accused of a federal gun crime, our Bowling Green and Owensboro gun crimes defense lawyer knows the consequences of a conviction are far reaching.

If you are facing criminal gun charges, you must act quickly to protect yourself from intimidation by law enforcement and prosecutors. You have rights and are entitled to an aggressive defense strategy that is customized to meet your needs. Let’s get started.

What are the Most Common Types of Kentucky Gun Crime Charges?

The definition of a weapon law violation in Kentucky is “a violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices or other deadly weapons.”

That may include:

  • Illegal Possession of a Firearm: This may include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or a minor.
  • Carrying a Concealed Weapon Where Not Permitted: Kentucky allows a person to carry a concealed weapon, but only under certain circumstances. Individuals may not carry a concealed weapon inside a courtroom or near schools and on school buses, or anywhere carrying a concealed weapon is not permitted — like Walmart (or other private businesses), bars, or college campuses.
  • Defacing a Firearm: It is unlawful in Kentucky to remove, deface, cover, alter, or destroy the manufacturer’s serial number or other mark of identification on any firearm.

In addition, we represent people who have been charged with:

  • Carrying a deadly weapon in violation of parole or probation.
  • Committing a crime with the use of a firearm.
  • Possession of a stolen firearm.

Our Bowling Green gun crime defense attorneys have over three decades of experience successfully defending individuals throughout Kentucky and want to help you pursue the best outcome for your weapon charge today, so you can plan accordingly for the future.

Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options to put your Kentucky gun charges behind you.

When Does a State Gun Charge Become a Federal Gun Crime in Kentucky?

Although Kentucky’s gun laws are progressive, in cases where federal and state laws intersect, federal law will take precedence over our state laws.

This includes unlawful transportation of firearms charges that may apply to the interstate transportation of firearms. Although Kentucky has no laws regulating or restricting automatic firearms, federal law requires automatic weapons to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Federal authorities also regulate firearms by limiting the types of guns a person may legally own, as outlined in both the National Firearms Act and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

Our Warren County gun crimes lawyer, John Caudill, is the only former Federal Prosecutor in Western and South-Central Kentucky.

Over the past 30 years, John has prosecuted and defended hundreds of people and companies during both complex state and federal criminal cases that required a precise legal strategy — from preparation to trial — to pursue and secure real results for our clients.

What are the Penalties for Gun Crimes in Kentucky?

While Kentucky’s gun laws are liberal compared to those of some other states, gun crimes in Kentucky are serious and can lead to significant prison time — especially when a gun was used during the commission of another crime.

Punishments for weapons convictions in the state of Kentucky may include, but are not limited to:

  • Imprisonment.
  • Fines.
  • Probation.
  • House arrest.
  • Future restrictions on gun ownership.

The severity of the punishment will depend on the seriousness of the crime, and whether the individual who is being charged with the crime has a criminal history. No matter what type of gun charge you are facing in Kentucky, we can help. Contact our Bowling Green gun crime defense lawyers today to learn more about your rights, and how we can customize your defense strategy to pursue the best outcome for your unique legal circumstances.

Why Partner with the John Caudill Gun Crime Defense Attorney in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

Our trusted Bowling Green gun crimes attorney, John Caudill, has spent over 30 years protecting the rights of individuals throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Our law firm represents individuals who have been accused of complex gun crimes where an exceptional legal defense strategy can mean the difference between incarceration and freedom.

Whether your arrest was the result of overly aggressive law enforcement officers, if your charges have been unnecessarily increased in number or severity by the prosecutor’s office, if you are seeking the best outcome for a crime that you would have never committed if given a second chance, or a crime that is backed by significant prosecutorial evidence, your case is important — to you, and us.

Let us help you pursue the best outcome, just as we have for hundreds of clients before you.

Contact Our Dedicated Gun Crimes Defense Lawyer in Bowling Green, Kentucky Today

John Caudill Attorney at Law offers aggressive defense strategies and trusted legal representation to individuals throughout the Bowling Green area and surrounding communities, including Owensboro, Franklin, Scottsville, Hartford, and Morgantown.

Our law firm has a stellar reputation for pressing the prosecution to prove our clients are guilty by forcing them to prepare for a trial. This means we are not swayed by potential plea bargains, or negotiations we know are not in our clients’ best interests.

If you have been arrested and charged with a gun crime in Kentucky, contact our trusted criminal defense attorney in Warren County today by calling (270) 925-0447 or contacting us online.

We are here to fight for your rights and your freedom. Let’s get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions for Our Gun Crimes Defense Attorney in Kentucky

Kentucky authorizes any person 21 years of age or older who is eligible to possess a firearm to carry a concealed deadly weapon in public.

Kentucky has no law requiring firearm owners to register their guns.

Kentucky allows any person not prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry a loaded or unloaded firearm in a vehicle in any closed container, compartment, or storage space installed as original equipment in a motor vehicle by its manufacturer.

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is categorized as a Class D felony in Kentucky. If the firearm is a handgun, it becomes a Class C felony. Class D felonies involve sentences from one to five years in prison and Class C felonies carry sentences of five to ten years in prison. Both are punishable by fines from $1,000 to $10,000.

While Kentucky law allows the use of deadly force when you believe “such force is necessary to protect yourself from death, serious physical injury, kidnapping, sexual intercourse compelled by force or threat, or felony involving threat” you may be arrested and charged with a crime for doing so. Before you speak with the police and give a statement that may incriminate you for defending yourself, contact our skilled criminal defense attorney in Kentucky today to ensure your legal rights are protected from the start.

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