Arizona Gun Show Held Despite Tragic Shooting
Having been in the works for over a year, the Crossroads of the West Gun Show was deemed too big of an event to cancel in the wake of the Tucson tragedy that left several dead and wounded, including a Unites States Congresswoman. The gun show’s organizers determined the shooting wasn’t about law abiding gun owners like those that would be attending their event, rather a solitary, and by all accounts disturbed individual.
The shooting that happened a few weeks ago now has thrust gun rights into the limelight. And like happens after all serious tragedies of this nature, some have cried out for stricter gun control laws. Others and likely the majority of those present at the gun show this past week, caution against such emotional motivations to legislation, affirming their right to bear arms as guaranteed in the 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
As the Arizona Republic reports, some attendees at the gun show estimate gun sales have actually increased since the tragic massacre, both because people fear tighter legislation on the horizon and because they want to be armed in case such a gunman is ever in their midst.
This particular gun show is held five times a year in Tucson and organizers expected about 6,000 people. There’s nothing shady about the transactions here as vendors are licensed gun dealers and purchasers must go through background checks before walking away with a firearm.
Despite the right to bear arms, there are restrictions on how the gun can be carried and the penalties associated with running afoul of these laws. One of the most common criminal charges involving weapons isn’t a violent crime at all—it’s misdemeanor misconduct involving a weapon.
Misdemeanor misconduct involving a weapon can be levied against someone who carries a concealed weapon without a permit or carries a deadly weapon into a protected area, such as school grounds. This is punishable by up to 6 months in jail.
Other misconduct involving weapons can be felony charges if you deface a gun, possess a defaced gun, or sell a weapon to someone who is prohibited from having it. Again, this isn’t a violent crime but it is far more common than those charges the general public commonly think of—robbery or assault. Sure, there are misconduct involving weapons charges that do involve the discharge of a firearm but those are less common.
Weapons charges, even when they aren’t considered a violent crime, are very serious. Having to disclose a conviction for a gun crime on future job applications, for example, can affect you for years to come.
If you are facing gun charges in Arizona, you can bet the police and prosecutors will come done hard on you particularly in light of the recent tragedy. Contact us today for a free consultation on your case.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.