Gun and weapons laws are complicated, and it’s easy to make a mistake when purchasing a firearm. For example, you might have a good friend who promises you that the gun he’s selling is legitimate and legal. Nevertheless, you later find out the hard way that you’re in possession of an illegal firearm.
The illegal gun trade is massive throughout the United States and New York and federal authorities are diligent about enforcing gun laws – especially right now. In fact, at the end of February, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office reported that the New York City Firearms Investigation Unite carried out the largest “gun bust” in the history of Brooklyn.
24 people accused of weapons crimes
Authorities charged 24 individuals the with weapons crimes as a result of the investigation, and police confiscated 217 firearms. Fifteen of the arrested people were from Virginia. Authorities suspect that the arrested individuals – all men between the ages of 20 and 30 – were involved in a massive gun trafficking ring involving the purchase of guns in Virginia for the purpose of reselling them in Brooklyn. Police believe that most of the suspects were gang members.
Among the confiscated firearms were: rifles, assault weapons and handguns. After selling the guns, police say that the defendants used the proceeds they received to pay for drugs, expensive sneakers, clothing and jewelry.
These allegations are particularly noteworthy because it means that there numerous Brooklyn residents who are currently in possession of illegally purchased firearms. These illegal firearms could result in serious criminal charges for those who are discovered in possession of them.
Were you accused of a gun-related crime?
New York residents who are worried that they purchased an illegal firearm unintentionally could find themselves in trouble with the law if a police officer discovers them in possession of the weapon. If you’re not confident of the legality of your firearm, you may want to talk with a lawyer about your gun to determine it’s legal for you to own. If it’s illegal, your lawyer can advise you of the best course of action to take in order to resolve the situation.