When a person is convicted of a felony, especially if the crime is violent or drug-related, federal law may prohibit the person from owning or possessing firearms. However, statistics show there is usually little to no enforcement. The state of Georgia is considering a new law that would tighten restrictions on people accused of domestic violence.
Slated for a vote next year, the new law would prohibit persons convicted of any sort of crime related to family violence from buying, owning or possessing a firearm. The law will also include people who are the subject of temporary protection orders, even if that person has not been tried or convicted for a violent crime. This law is meant to protect people and prevent future crimes, yet it will seemingly not take individual cases or offenders into consideration but, rather, applies the same restrictions to every conviction.
The law is meant to reduce the number of gun-related incidents across the state of Georgia. However, a person may lose his or her right to own and use firearms, even if his or her original crime was not gun related. Police will have the authority to enforce the new law, and a person caught violating the law may face more criminal charges. This could greatly affect people who enjoy hunting or target shooting, or own firearms for personal and home defense.
When a person is accused of domestic violence in Georgia, he or she might want to contact an attorney who specializes in domestic violence defense. Being accused of a crime is not an indication of guilt, and an attorney can help make sure that a person’s rights are protected throughout the legal process. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has actually been committed, and having an attorney with the knowledge and know-how to ensure a person is not wrongly convicted can help a client feel less stressed and more confident about an upcoming court date.