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Firearms charges in Bucks County are among the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in Pennsylvania. Whether you are facing charges for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, or an illegal gun transfer, a conviction can result in a lengthy state prison sentence and the permanent loss of your Second Amendment rights.

At SKA Law Group LLC, our Bucks County criminal defense attorneys understand that many gun charges stem from misunderstandings of Pennsylvania’s complex gun laws, illegal police searches, or technical violations. We are dedicated to protecting your freedom, your reputation, and your constitutional rights in the Bucks County Justice Center and beyond.

Common Firearms Offenses in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act (Title 18, Chapter 61) governs the possession, use, and transfer of firearms. The three most common gun charges we defend against in Bucks County include:

1. Carrying a Firearm Without a License (18 Pa.C.S. § 6106)

In Pennsylvania, you do not need a permit to openly carry a firearm or keep one in your home or place of business. However, you must have a valid License to Carry Firearms (LTCF) to carry a concealed weapon on your person or in your vehicle.
If you are caught carrying a concealed firearm or a gun in your car without a valid license, it is generally graded as a Third-Degree Felony (F3), punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. If you would have been eligible for a license but simply failed to obtain one, the charge may be reduced to a First-Degree Misdemeanor (M1), carrying up to 5 years in prison.

2. Persons Not to Possess a Firearm (18 Pa.C.S. § 6105)

Certain individuals are legally prohibited from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm in Pennsylvania. This includes individuals convicted of specific enumerated felonies (such as robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, or drug trafficking), individuals with three or more DUI convictions within five years, fugitives, and those subject to active Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders.
Possessing a firearm as a prohibited person is a severe offense, typically graded as a Second-Degree Felony (F2), which carries up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

3. Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Manufacturer’s Number (18 Pa.C.S. § 6110.2)

It is illegal to possess a firearm that has had its make, model, or serial number removed, altered, or obliterated. This is a Second-Degree Felony (F2), punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Mandatory Minimums and Sentencing Enhancements

While many mandatory minimum sentences in Pennsylvania have been struck down as unconstitutional, some still apply to gun crimes. For example, under the “Brad Fox Law” (18 Pa.C.S. § 6111), the illegal sale or transfer of a firearm to a prohibited person carries a 5-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for second or subsequent offenses.

Additionally, Bucks County prosecutors frequently seek the Deadly Weapon Enhancement during sentencing. If a judge determines that you possessed or used a deadly weapon during the commission of another crime (such as robbery or drug trafficking), the sentencing guidelines will be significantly increased, resulting in a much longer prison term.

Defending Against Gun Charges in Bucks County

Gun cases are often highly technical and hinge on constitutional law. The attorneys at SKA Law Group LLC employ several proven defense strategies, including:

Illegal Search and Seizure: If the police stopped your vehicle or searched your person without reasonable suspicion or probable cause, we can file a Motion to Suppress. If the judge rules the search was unconstitutional, the gun evidence is thrown out, and the charges are typically dismissed.
Constructive Possession: If a gun was found in a shared space (like the trunk of a car with multiple passengers or a shared apartment), the prosecution must prove that you knew the gun was there and had the intent to control it. Mere proximity to a weapon is not enough for a conviction.
Statutory Exemptions: Pennsylvania law provides specific exemptions for transporting firearms without a license, such as moving a gun directly from the place of purchase to your home, or to a firing range, provided the gun is unloaded and the ammunition is stored in a separate container.