Gun Crime Defense in Minneapolis

Over 30 Years of Combined Experience Defending State & Federal Gun Charges

A gun crime allegation can threaten your liberty, criminal record, and ability to possess firearms in the future. The potential consequences depend on the exact offense, prior history, and individual circumstances.

Our Minneapolis gun charges defense attorneys represent people accused under Minnesota and federal firearm laws. We handle serious felony matters involving alleged possession, unlawful carrying, discharge, restricted locations, and firearm use during another offense. From the outset, we examine where police found the weapon, who allegedly controlled it, how officers conducted the stop or search, and whether prosecutors filed additional charges.

How Minnesota Gun Charges Differ by Alleged Conduct

The statute, prior record, location, and alleged use of the weapon determine what prosecutors must prove and which penalties may apply.

Gun crime allegations commonly involve:

• Prohibited possession: The allegation may rest on a prior crime of violence, certain domestic violence or controlled substance convictions, a qualifying mental health commitment, an order for protection, or another statutory restriction.
• Carrying without a permit: Minnesota Statute section 624.714 regulates carrying a pistol in public or in a vehicle, subject to statutory requirements and exceptions.
• Handling, pointing, or discharge: Separate laws address reckless handling, intentionally pointing a weapon at another person, and reckless discharge.
• Restricted locations: Charges may involve possession on school property or in another place where firearms are restricted.
• Firearms connected to other offenses: Prosecutors may add a gun allegation to assault, robbery, burglary, drug, or other charges.

Searches, Seizures, & Proof of Possession

We examine the stop, search, and seizure that produced the evidence. Our review addresses whether officers had a lawful basis for the stop, whether consent was valid, whether a warrant authorized the search, and whether unlawfully obtained evidence may be challenged.

Possession is often a central issue. Constructive possession means a person allegedly knew about a firearm and exercised control over it even though it wasn’t physically on that person. We assess who owned or occupied the vehicle or property, who could access the gun, and what evidence connects the accused to it.

We may also review body-camera footage, surveillance video, witness accounts, forensic testing, weapon identification, and chain of custody. When a case involves self-defense or defense of others, we closely examine the alleged threat, the use of force, and the sequence of events.