Weapons charges in Florida are taken extremely seriously. Even without allegations of violence, being accused of illegally possessing, carrying, or using a weapon can lead to harsh penalties—including prison time, fines, probation, and permanent damage to your future.
If you have been arrested or charged with a weapons-related offense in Fort Lauderdale, do not wait to seek legal help. At Rossen Law Firm, we understand how aggressive prosecutors can be in pursuing these charges.
We are ready to defend your rights, challenge the evidence, and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Call (754) 206-6200 today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Fort Lauderdale weapons crimes lawyer who will stand by your side and fight for your future.
Why Choose Rossen Law Firm for Weapons Crimes Defense
When you are facing weapons charges, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a defense strategy tailored to the facts of your case. At Rossen Law Firm, we have extensive experience defending clients against all types of criminal charges, including complex gun and weapons cases.
We know how Florida’s weapons laws work, how prosecutors build their cases, and how to dismantle those cases effectively.
When you work with Rossen Law Firm, we will:
- Investigate how law enforcement handled your arrest and whether your rights were violated
- Challenge unlawful searches, seizures, and traffic stops
- Explore every available defense and legal motion
- Fight for dismissed or reduced charges when possible
- Prepare aggressively for trial when necessary
You deserve a legal team that treats your case with urgency, skill, and respect.
We are here to protect you and help you move forward with your life.
The Serious Consequences of a Weapons Conviction in Florida
A weapons conviction in Florida can have devastating effects on your life—even for first-time offenders. In addition to prison time and steep fines, a conviction can impact your ability to find employment, housing, and even maintain certain civil rights.
Potential consequences of a weapons conviction include:
- Jail or prison sentences depending on the charge severity
- Heavy fines and court costs
- Probation with strict supervision and restrictions
- Loss of the right to own or possess firearms in the future
- Difficulty obtaining employment, professional licenses, or housing
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens, including deportation risks
At Rossen Law Firm, we take every charge seriously and fight aggressively to minimize or eliminate these consequences whenever possible.
Common Types of Weapons Charges We Defend Against
Florida law criminalizes many types of weapons-related behavior, not just violent acts. At Rossen Law Firm, we defend clients against a wide range of weapons charges, including:
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit: Possessing a hidden firearm or weapon without proper licensing.
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon: Serious charges with mandatory prison time in many cases.
- Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm: Firing a gun in a public or prohibited place without lawful justification.
- Improper Exhibition of a Firearm or Weapon: Displaying a weapon in a threatening or careless manner.
- Possession of Prohibited Weapons: Possessing illegal weapons such as short-barreled rifles, machine guns, or explosives.
- Using a Weapon During the Commission of Another Crime: Enhancements that add years—or decades—to potential sentences.
No matter what type of weapons charge you are facing, we work to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and build the strongest defense possible.
Florida Gun Laws: What You Need to Know
Florida has some of the most complex gun laws in the country. While the state protects the right to bear arms, there are strict rules about who can carry, where you can carry, and under what conditions.
Key points to understand include:
- Concealed Carry Permits: Although Florida moved to permitless carry for concealed weapons in 2023, restrictions still apply. Convicted felons, domestic violence offenders, and certain others are prohibited from carrying.
- Prohibited Weapons: Some weapons, like machine guns, short-barreled rifles, and explosives, are illegal under both state and federal law.
- Weapons Enhancements: Using a firearm during the commission of a separate felony can trigger mandatory minimum sentences under Florida’s "10-20-Life" law.
- Open Carry Restrictions: Florida generally prohibits the open carry of firearms, except in limited circumstances like hunting or fishing.
- School Zones and Other Restricted Areas: Carrying a firearm onto school grounds, government buildings, or airports can result in serious felony charges.
Understanding these laws is critical to mounting a strong defense. At Rossen Law Firm, we work to identify where the law may have been misapplied or where your constitutional rights may have been violated.
How Weapons Charges Often Arise in Florida
Weapons charges can stem from many different types of situations—some of which catch people off guard.
Common scenarios leading to weapons arrests include:
- Traffic Stops: Officers search a vehicle after a routine stop and claim to find a weapon unlawfully possessed or concealed.
- Domestic Disturbances: Police responding to domestic disputes may seize weapons and file additional charges.
- Drug Investigations: Weapons discovered during drug-related searches often lead to separate gun charges.
- Airports and Secure Areas: Accidentally bringing a firearm into an airport security checkpoint or other restricted zones can trigger criminal charges.
- Anonymous Tips: Police may investigate based on reports from the public, sometimes without sufficient probable cause.
Even when there was no intention to commit harm, prosecutors can and often will aggressively pursue weapons charges. Rossen Law Firm knows how to challenge these circumstances and defend your rights.
What Happens After a Weapons Arrest in Fort Lauderdale
After an arrest for a weapons charge in Fort Lauderdale, the criminal process begins quickly.
You can expect:
- Booking and First Appearance: You will be formally booked and appear before a judge, usually within 24 hours, for bail or bond conditions to be set.
- Formal Charging Decision: The prosecutor will review the police reports and evidence and file formal charges.
- Arraignment: You will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
- Pretrial Phase: This includes discovery (exchange of evidence), investigation, and filing of defense motions.
- Negotiations or Trial Preparation: If the prosecution’s case is weak, we may push for dismissal or negotiate a reduced charge. If necessary, we prepare to fight aggressively at trial.
From the moment of your arrest, Rossen Law Firm acts quickly to protect your rights, gather favorable evidence, and weaken the government’s case.
Defending Against Weapons Charges
Defending against weapons charges requires a strategic approach tailored to the specific facts of your case. At Rossen Law Firm, we explore every available defense, including:
- Illegal Search and Seizure: If police violated your Fourth Amendment rights, any evidence obtained—including the weapon—could be suppressed.
- Ownership Disputes: Simply being near a weapon does not automatically mean you possessed it legally or illegally. We challenge the government’s proof of ownership and possession.
- Permit Validity: In some cases, individuals accused of unlawful carry may have valid defenses based on constitutional or permitless carry rights.
- Lack of Criminal Intent: Mistakes—such as forgetting a legally owned gun was in a bag or vehicle—do not automatically amount to criminal behavior.
- Violation of Constitutional Rights: Miranda violations, unlawful stops, and improperly obtained statements can all form the basis for strong defense motions.
Our goal is always to protect your rights, challenge the government’s case, and put you in the best position to fight back.
Enhancements That Make Weapons Charges Worse
In some cases, weapons charges come with enhancements that make the penalties much more severe. Understanding these risks is critical when building a defense strategy.
Common enhancements include:
- Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime: Florida’s “10-20-Life” law imposes mandatory minimums of 10 years for pulling a gun, 20 years for firing it, and 25 years to life for causing injury or death.
- Prior Convictions: A history of prior felonies can result in enhanced sentencing or even mandatory minimum prison time.
- Drug and Weapons Combinations: Being caught with drugs and firearms together can trigger additional federal charges.
When enhancements are at play, the stakes rise dramatically. At Rossen Law Firm, we work to attack the underlying charges to reduce or eliminate these enhancements whenever possible.
How Prosecutors Approach Weapons Charges in Fort Lauderdale
Prosecutors in Florida take weapons charges extremely seriously.
In many cases, they will pursue maximum penalties—even if no one was harmed and even if the arrest involved only technical violations of the law.
Prosecutors often focus on:
- Demonstrating Intent: They will argue that you knowingly possessed, carried, or used a weapon illegally.
- Linking Weapons to Other Crimes: Even if you were not accused of violence, prosecutors often try to tie weapons charges to broader investigations, such as drug or theft offenses.
- Pushing for Mandatory Minimums: Florida law imposes mandatory sentences for many weapons crimes, and prosecutors frequently refuse to negotiate below those minimums without a strong legal fight.
- Portraying the Defendant as a Danger: Even a misunderstanding involving a firearm can be painted in the worst possible light in front of a judge or jury.
At Rossen Law Firm, we understand these tactics—and we know how to challenge them effectively.
Strategies We Use to Counter the Prosecution’s Case
Fighting a weapons charge requires more than just hoping for leniency.
It demands a proactive, strategic defense that anticipates and counters the prosecution’s arguments.
At Rossen Law Firm, we build strong defenses by:
- Attacking the Chain of Evidence: We examine whether the weapon was properly recovered, stored, and documented, and whether there were any breaks in the chain of custody.
- Questioning Witness Credibility: If the prosecution relies on police testimony or third-party witnesses, we aggressively cross-examine their statements for inconsistencies.
- Filing Suppression Motions: If the weapon was discovered during an illegal search or seizure, we move to suppress it—often resulting in dismissal or major reductions.
- Presenting a Complete Narrative: We make sure the court sees the full story, including mitigating factors that show you did not intend to violate the law or cause harm.
This approach often opens doors for reduced charges, dismissals, or favorable trial outcomes.
What the Prosecution Must Prove in a Weapons Crime Case
In any criminal case, the burden is on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In a weapons case, prosecutors must prove several key elements, including:
- Possession or Control: They must show that you knowingly had control over the weapon.
- Knowledge: They must prove you knew the weapon was present and illegal under the circumstances.
- Illegal Status: They must establish that your possession, carrying, or use of the weapon violated Florida law—such as lacking a permit, being a prohibited possessor, or using the weapon improperly.
If the government cannot clearly prove each of these elements, the case can be weakened or dismissed.
At Rossen Law Firm, we focus on forcing prosecutors to meet every requirement—and exploiting every gap or mistake in their case to your advantage.
Take Action Now to Protect Your Rights and Future
A weapons charge can change your life in an instant. Even if you believe the situation was a misunderstanding, prosecutors will often pursue harsh penalties unless you fight back effectively.
The earlier you involve a strong defense lawyer, the more options you have for protecting your future.
At Rossen Law Firm, we understand the fear and uncertainty that comes with a criminal charge. We are ready to step in immediately, challenge the evidence, protect your constitutional rights, and work toward the best possible outcome for your case.
You have too much at stake to wait. Acting now gives you the best chance to reduce charges, negotiate smartly, or win outright in court.
Call Rossen Law Firm Today for a Confidential Consultation
If you are facing a weapons charge in Fort Lauderdale, do not leave your future to chance. You deserve a legal team that knows how to defend you aggressively, challenge the prosecution’s case, and protect your rights every step of the way.
Call (754) 206-6200 today to schedule a confidential consultation with a Fort Lauderdale weapons crimes lawyer at Rossen Law Firm. We are ready to listen to your concerns, explain your options, and build a defense designed to protect your freedom and your future.
Contact Rossen Law Firm today—because the right defense strategy can make all the difference.