Criminal Defence
Firearms & Weapons Offences
Prohibited weapons and firearms charges, where licensing and possession are often the whole case.
Firearms and weapons charges in NSW cover everything from possessing a prohibited weapon to unauthorised possession or supply of firearms. Many turn on questions of possession, custody or control, and on whether an authority or licence applied.
City Group Legal defends the full range of firearms and prohibited-weapon charges, testing how possession is made out and whether the elements of the offence are truly established.
What's at stake. Penalties are significant and often attract standard non-parole periods for the more serious offences. Unauthorised possession or use of a prohibited firearm carries a maximum of 14 years; prohibited weapon offences and licensing breaches vary widely.
How we defend firearms & weapons offences
We examine how possession, custody or control is alleged, the lawfulness of any search, and whether a licence or authority applies. Where the facts support it, we press for the charge to be reduced or dealt with in the Local Court, and we prepare sentence carefully where a plea is the right course.
Frequently asked
What does 'possession' mean for a firearm?
It generally means having custody or control, and knowing the item is there. Where an item was found in a shared space or vehicle, whether you were truly in possession is often the central issue.
Was the search lawful?
The lawfulness of a police search can be decisive. If evidence was obtained improperly, we can seek to have it excluded. This is one of the first things we examine.
I did not know the item was a prohibited weapon. Does that matter?
It can. Many of these charges turn on possession, custody or control, and on what you knew about the item. What you believed, how the item came to be there and whether you had any authority for it are all relevant, and they are worth putting properly before the court.
What happens to my firearms licence?
A charge or conviction can affect a licence or a licence application, and in some cases a licence is suspended while a matter is on foot. The licensing consequences are often as significant as the penalty, so raise them with your lawyer early.
Every stone turned. Every avenue pursued.
Whether you’ve been charged, arrested, or are helping a family member, the earliest advice is the most valuable.