Arizona has some of the broadest gun rights in the country, but a firearm charge can still bring prison time and cost you the right to own a gun. If you need a gun crime lawyer in Tucson, Grand Canyon Law Group defends people charged with weapons offenses, from prohibited possession to unlawful discharge. Criminal defense is all we do.
As Tucson criminal defense lawyers with an office in Tucson, we handle gun cases in Tucson City Court, Pima County justice courts, and Pima County Superior Court. You can reach our team 24/7 for a free consultation about your charge and your rights.
Common Gun Charges in Arizona
Arizona allows adults 21 and over to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. That freedom has limits, and many gun charges come from situations where people did not realize they had crossed a legal line.
We defend people in Tucson facing charges such as:
- Possession of a firearm by a prohibited possessor
- Unlawful discharge of a firearm within city limits
- Carrying a weapon into a prohibited place, such as a polling place or secured public building
- Failing to tell an officer you are carrying a concealed weapon when asked
- Possessing a weapon during a felony drug offense
- Possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number
Many of these charges are misdemeanors, but several are felonies.
For a free legal consultation with a gun crime lawyer serving Tucson, call 480-400-5555
Who Counts as a Prohibited Possessor
Prohibited possessor charges are among the gun cases we see often in Tucson. Arizona law bars certain people from possessing a firearm, and the list is broader than many expect.
It includes people with a felony conviction whose gun rights have not been restored and people on probation for a felony or a domestic violence offense. It also covers people a court has found to be a danger to themselves or others.
Possession does not require the gun to be in your hand. Prosecutors may argue you possessed a gun found in your car, under a seat, or in a shared bedroom, which is where many of these cases can be challenged.
Tucson Gun Crime Lawyer Near Me 480-400-5555
Penalties for Weapons Convictions
Penalties depend on the charge, your record, and whether the gun was tied to another offense. A felony conviction may bring prison time, probation, and fines, while misdemeanors can still carry jail time and a lasting record.
A weapons conviction can also cost you future gun rights. A felony record makes you a prohibited possessor, and a domestic violence conviction can bar you from owning a firearm under federal law.
When a gun is charged alongside another felony, such as a drug or assault case, prosecutors may push for a dangerous designation. That can raise the sentencing range and take probation off the table.
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Defenses a Tucson Gun Crime Lawyer May Raise
Gun cases often turn on how police found the weapon and whether the State can connect it to you. Each step of the stop and search can be reviewed for mistakes.
Depending on the evidence, possible defenses may include:
- The stop or search lacked a legal basis
- The gun belonged to someone else in a shared car or home
- You did not know the weapon was there
- Your gun rights had been restored before the arrest
- You used or displayed the firearm in lawful self-defense
If officers searched your car, home, or person without a valid reason, a gun crime lawyer in Tucson can ask the court to suppress the weapon as evidence. Without the gun, prosecutors may have no case left to pursue.
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Restoring Your Gun Rights
If a past conviction made you a prohibited possessor, you may be able to ask an Arizona court to restore your right to possess a firearm. Eligibility depends on the type of conviction and how much time has passed since you completed your sentence.
Restoring your rights can prevent a future arrest. It also matters in a current case, since proof that your rights were restored may defeat a prohibited possessor charge.
We review your record, confirm which waiting periods apply, and prepare the application. If the court grants it, you can own a firearm again without the risk of a new felony charge.
What to Do After a Weapons Arrest
Stay calm, use your right to remain silent, and ask for a lawyer before answering questions about the gun. Do not try to explain where the weapon came from or who owns it.
Keep your release papers and property receipts, and write down what happened while your memory is fresh. If the gun was seized, note where it was found and who else had access to that space.
Do not try to get the gun back on your own or ask someone else to retrieve it. Any contact with the weapon while your case is pending may lead to new charges.
Why Choose Grand Canyon Law Group
Our team includes former prosecutors who know how the State builds weapons cases, and our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined experience. We serve clients across Arizona from offices in Tucson, Phoenix, Mesa, and Gilbert.
You get a full team working on your case, including attorneys, paralegals, and a client relations team. We explain each step in plain language, in English or Spanish, and we never push you toward a plea or a trial.
If you believe police are investigating you, we can represent you before any charges are filed. We contact the investigating agency directly, which may help you avoid surprises and prepare for what could come next.
Protect Your Freedom and Your Gun Rights
A gun charge can put your freedom and your future right to own a firearm at stake. A gun crime lawyer in Tucson can challenge the search, test the State’s evidence, and look for a path to dismissal or a reduced charge.
We offer free consultations and flexible payment plans, and our team answers 24/7. Contact Grand Canyon Law Group today to schedule your free consultation.
Call or text 480-400-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
