Have you been charged with a firearms offense in Massachusetts involving a Ghost Gun?
If so, you need to speak with an attorney that understands firearms and the penalties and laws around so-called Ghost guns. Ghost guns are untraceable DIY guns that are made with parts bought online or made by 3D printers. The uptick of ghost guns represents a National gun safety concern. A federal report at the beginning of 2023 stated that the use of ghost guns in crimes has risen 1000% since 2017. According to the gun safety advocacy group Everytown, the gun death rate in Massachusetts increased 16% between 2010 and 2019.
In August this year, the US Supreme Court reinstated federal regulations that required ghost gun manufacturers to include serial numbers. Under these regulations sellers were also required to be federally licensed and run background checks before selling a homemade gun kit, in addition to keeping records of the purchases.
What’s in the Massachusetts Ghost Guns Bill?
State representatives will vote this October on a bill that cracks down on untraceable weapons and bans the carrying of firearms in schools, polling places and government buildings.
The bill expands upon existing firearms laws and adds new laws. The bill would make it illegal to carry a firearm while intoxicated, and would create a new criminal charge for someone who fires a gun into a dwelling.
Prior to the proposed regulations, it was difficult to crack down on the possession of illegal firearms because prosecutors were required to prove that the manufacturer of a firearm was in possession of a fully functioning weapon. The bill allows for prosecution based on the possession of unregistered parts.
Firearms Defense / Ghost Gun Defense Attorney
Gun laws in Massachusetts are already some of the strictest in the country. Possession of an illegal firearm can be charged as felony in Massachusetts and can result in a prison sentence of up to 2 years. If you are convicted for possession of a firearm while committing a felony, this results in a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.
If you or someone you know is being investigated for possession of illegal firearms or any other firearms offense, it’s important to contact an experienced Massachusetts firearms defense attorney as soon as possible. At Dhar Law, LLP, we have decades of experience defending serious gun charges and can navigate new and existing laws to build a solid defense. Please contact us to learn more.
