Cape Cod Gun & Firearm Crime Defense Attorney
Trial-tested defense for gun & firearm crimes charges in the Barnstable, Orleans, and Falmouth courts and across Massachusetts.
Massachusetts has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and an otherwise law-abiding person can face serious charges over a licensing technicality, an out-of-state permit, or a firearm found during a traffic stop. Some firearm offenses even carry mandatory minimum jail time.
I defend firearm and weapons charges across Cape Cod, with close attention to how the gun was found and whether your constitutional rights were respected.
The search and seizure question
Most firearm cases begin with a search: a stopped car, a frisk, a search of a home or bag. If the police lacked the legal basis to stop you or to search, the firearm may be suppressed and the charge dismissed. I examine every step of how the weapon came to be in police hands.
Licensing and knowledge defenses
Many of these cases turn on whether you actually possessed the firearm, whether you knew it was there, and whether an exemption or valid license applies. Constructive-possession cases, where the gun was simply near you, are especially defensible.
Mandatory minimums make experience essential
Because some firearm offenses carry mandatory minimums, the stakes of getting the defense right are high. I work to defeat the charge outright, reduce it below the mandatory-minimum threshold, or negotiate a resolution that protects your freedom and your future.
FAQ: Gun & Firearm Crimes
Common questions and answers regarding gun & firearm crimes charges in Massachusetts.
Can I be charged if the gun wasn’t mine?
Yes, under a theory of “constructive possession,” but those cases are defensible. The Commonwealth must prove you knew about the firearm and had the ability and intent to control it. Mere proximity is not enough.
My license to carry is from another state. Is that a defense?
Massachusetts generally does not honor out-of-state licenses, which is a common trap for visitors and new residents. That said, the circumstances can support real defenses, and your good-faith belief may matter to the resolution. Get counsel quickly.
Do firearm charges really carry mandatory jail time?
Some do. Unlicensed carrying of a loaded firearm under c. 269, § 10 can carry a mandatory minimum. That is precisely why the suppression and possession defenses are so important.
Let's Talk About Your Case Today
Your first consultation is free and completely confidential. Tell me what happened, and I'll tell you honestly where you stand and what your options are.