Minneapolis man was recently convicted of possessing a handgun. The defendant had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including a crime of violence. As such, he no longer had the right to own and/or possess a firearm. The defendant was sentenced to 15 years in prison for possessing the handgun.
In Minnesota, any person who has been convicted of a violent crime may not possess a pistol, semi-automatic assault weapon, or any other firearm (including shotguns and rifles). Minnesota views a crime that occurred in another state as a violent crime if the crime is determined to be a violent crime under Minnesota law, even if the crime is not a violent crime in the state where the offense occurred. The penalty associated with violating this prohibition is imprisonment for up to 15 years and/or a fine of up to $30,000.
If you have been convicted of a violent crime and/or some other offense that prohibits your from possessing firearms and you have been or believe you will be charged with possessing a firearm, it is important that you speak with a Minneapolis Criminal Defense lawyer for a free consultation to understand you rights.