Connect with Our Highly Skilled Firearm Defense Law Firm in Maryland
When Your Future is at Stake, We Strongly Fight for Your Rights
- Independent analysis of the evidence
- Challenging the Police Investigation
- Negotiating strategically with the prosecutors
- Jail visit by attorney
The Firearm Charges We Defend You Against
Unlawful Wear, Carry, or Transport
When someone has a handgun on their body or inside a vehicle without any proper permit or negligence of transport rules, it becomes chargeable. We conduct independent research and challenge the evidence in the courtroom.
Possession by a Prohibited Person
It is illegal for a person with a prior felony conviction, violent crime conviction, or mental health admission to own a gun. We counsel compassionately, research deeply, and fight aggressively in the courtroom to safeguard our client.
Possession of Prohibited Weapons
Dangerous items like machine guns, sawed-off shotguns, and some designated assault pistols are banned in Maryland. We strongly fight for our clients and protect their rights through our professional expertise.
Violating Gun-Free Zones
Firearms are prohibited in certain areas like state parks, school property, or near public demonstrations. We analyze the situation, challenge the evidence, and negotiate with the prosecutor to minimize penalties.
Maryland Firearm Crime Penalties If Convicted
| Maryland Firearm Offense | General Classification | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|---|
Wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun without a qualifying exception/permit — Md. Crim. Law §4-203 | Misdemeanor | First offense: 30 days–5 years and/or $250–$2,500. Higher mandatory minimums apply in certain circumstances, including school property. |
Repeat handgun-carrying offense | Misdemeanor | Penalties increase substantially with prior convictions; a second/subsequent offense can carry 1–10 years, with still higher minimums for multiple prior convictions or specified circumstances. |
Using a firearm during a crime of violence or felony — §4-204 | Misdemeanor, in addition to underlying crime | 5–20 years imprisonment; minimum 5 years, with parole restrictions. Subsequent violations must run consecutively to the underlying sentence. |
Possession of a regulated firearm by a prohibited person — Public Safety §5-133 | Felony | Penalties depend on the particular disqualifying conviction/status. Maryland prohibits possession by various categories of prohibited persons. |
Possession of a firearm after certain felony convictions — Crim. Law §5-622 | Felony | Up to 5 years imprisonment, $10,000 fine, or both. |
Possession/sale/transfer of a stolen regulated firearm — Public Safety §5-138 | Felony | Up to 5 years imprisonment, $10,000 fine, or both. |
Firearm on public school property | Misdemeanor / enhanced handgun penalties | General firearm violation can carry up to 3 years and/or $1,000; handgun violations are subject to the enhanced §4-203 sentencing provisions. |
Possessing/carrying a firearm at certain demonstrations/public places after police order | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year imprisonment, $1,000 fine, or both. |
Carrying a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs — Public Safety §5-314 | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year imprisonment, $1,000 fine, or both. |
Reckless discharge/use creating substantial risk of death or serious injury | Misdemeanor | Up to 5 years imprisonment, $5,000 fine, or both. |
Possession of firearm without required serial number/marking under applicable law — Public Safety §5-703 | Depends on subsection | Certain violations are a felony punishable by up to 5 years/$10,000; other violations are misdemeanours punishable by up to 2 years/$10,000. |
How Firearm Crime Conviction Changes Your Life
Loss of Civil Rights
When convicted, it can lead to a permanent loss of basic civic duties and rights, including voting, and future legal firearm possession.
Housing
Criminal background check failure can lead to rejection of an application, leading to difficulty in getting a house.
Education & Licensing
Students may face difficulty in getting admission to higher education institutions or professional licensing.
Financial Restrictions
Those convicted may find it challenging to get student financial aid, personal credit, or a loan.
Future Ban
A conviction results in permanent loss of the right to own or register firearms in the future.
Employment
Maryland has extensive statutory background checks for professional careers that are likely to fail if convicted.
The Strategies We Follow to Defend Our Clients
Fourth Amendment Suppression
If your vehicle or your property was searched without a proper warrant, consent, or probable cause, then the weapon found can be suppressed as illegal evidence.
We challenge the reason behind the police search in the courtroom and apply the Fourth Amendment wherever applicable to suppress the evidence.
Challenging Possession
A gun found in a shared vehicle or common area can be argued about for lack of knowledge or constructive possession. The prosecutors must be able to prove that the person charged was aware of the firearm present and had control over it.
We conduct thorough research and strongly protect our client if he wasn’t aware and didn’t have any control of the firearm.
Testing Weapon Operability
The items should be aligned with the legal definition of a working firearm capable of expelling a projectile. If found otherwise, the weapon can form a basis for the dismissal.
We scrutinize the evidence presented by the prosecutor and challenge the firearm condition in the courtroom.
From Arrest to Resolution
Free Confidential Consultation
We review the charging documents, police report, and your account of events. Immediate bail intervention if you are being held.
Independent Investigation
We subpoena dashcams, bodycams, dispatch logs, lab reports, and informant histories. We build our own timeline — not the State's.
Pre-Trial Motions & Strategy
Motions to suppress evidence, dismiss for speedy trial violations, and challenge the State's case before it ever reaches a jury.
Trial or Strategic Resolution
Aggressive courtroom advocacy when trial is the right move — strategic negotiation, diversion, or PBJ when it protects your future.
Aggressive In the Courtroom, Compassionate with Clients
- Highly professional with strong subject matter expertise.
- Accessible, communicative, and highly experienced.
- A unique perspective that helps in defending clients.
- Independently investigates the case.
- Gather witness information & preserve evidence.
- An unmatched commitment to our clients.
- Works directly with clients from the first consultation through resolution.
- Regular updates about the case status.
- Unlike other attorneys, visits clients in jail.
12+
Years of legal experience
1000+
Clients Successfully Defended
24/7
Client Access After Arrest
40+
Google Reviews
What Our Clients Say.
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Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions.
We defend clients charged with illegal possession of a firearm, wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime, and related offenses. We work by scrutinizing every search for constitutional violations.
The most common client issues include illegal possession of a regulated firearm, wearing, carrying, or transporting a handgun, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (felon in possession), use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and unlawful storage of a firearm.
Clients fear mandatory minimum sentences, federal prosecution, and the long-term consequences of a firearm conviction on their record, employment, and the right to own firearms in the future.
Illegal handgun possession carries 30 days to 3 years in Maryland, while use of a firearm in a crime of violence carries a 5-year mandatory minimum for a first offense, consecutive to the underlying sentence. Federal charges carry even more severe penalties.
Avoid giving consent for a vehicle or person search and ask for legal counsel. When charged, immediately practice your right to remain silent and do not give statements to the police. If you are lawfully transporting a firearm, understand Maryland's transport laws before you get in the vehicle.
Firearm cases highly depend on the legality of the search. If the police searched you, your car, or your home without proper justification, the firearm may be suppressible as the result of an unconstitutional search. We aggressively litigate Fourth Amendment issues in every firearm case we handle.
Charged with Firearm Crime? Get a Free Consultation Now
Getting charged for firearm crime in Maryland can lead to penalties hampering your future. Practice your right to remain silent and immediately connect with the Law Office of Stanley Thomspson. We stand with our clients and work vigorously to protect their rights and safeguard their future.
7845 Belle Point Dr, Greenbelt, MD 20770, United States
