Federal Gun Ownership Laws and DUI
State and federal laws exist which serve to restrict gun ownership among certain groups deemed dangerous. For example, many such laws stipulate that persons convicted of a felony cannot possess a gun in the United States. Accordingly, individuals who are convicted of a felony-grade DUI may not be allowed to possess a gun, regardless of the make or purpose of the weapon.
If you have been arrested for DUI and are potentially facing a felony case, it is critically important that you obtain skilled and experienced legal representation immediately. Contact the Seattle DUI lawyers of Cowan Kirk Gaston by calling 866-822-1230.
Felony DUI Gun Restrictions
The federal government does not allow certain felons to carry or possess a firearm. In terms of possession, this means that a felon cannot own or store a weapon at all. Even if the gun is being stored in a car or house, the mere possession of the weapon by a convicted felon is sufficient to violate the law. The law excludes the following types of felons:
- Those sentenced to less than one year in prison
- Those convicted in a foreign country under foreign laws
- Those convicted of business violation crimes
As repeat DUIs and instances of DUI involving injury to others may result in terms of imprisonment longer than one year, a conviction may lead to the loss of gun ownership rights. Currently, Washington will upgrade sentencing to a felony-level charge if a DUI offender has been convicted at least 4 times within a 10-year period.
Contact Us
If you have been charged with felony DUI, the consequences may not only include imprisonment and heavy fines, but can lead to a loss of freedoms that others take for granted. For tenacious and knowledgeable representation, contact the Seattle DUI attorneys of Cowan Kirk Gaston at 866-822-1230.
