The United States has some of the laxest gun laws in the developed world. It also has by far the highest rate of gun violence, with more than 30,000 people killed by firearms each year.
Despite this, weapons violations are still relatively rare compared to other crimes. In 2016, there were just over 1.3 million arrests for violent crimes, and only a fraction of those were for gun-related offenses. However, the number of gun-related arrests has been steadily rising in recent years.
As a result, it is crucial to understand what weapon violations occur most frequently. In this article, bail bond experts in CT will provide you with an overview of weapon violation statistics in America so you will have all the information you need.
What are weapon violations in the US?
There are three main types of weapon violations in the United States:
- Felon in possession of a firearm: This is when a person who has been convicted of a felony crime possesses a gun. This is the most serious type of weapon offense and can result in up to 10 years in prison.
- Possession of an illegal weapon: This is when a person has a gun that is not allowed by law. For example, possessing a sawed-off shotgun or an automatic weapon. These types of offenses can result in up to 5 years in prison.
- Use of a firearm during the commission of a crime: This is when a person uses a gun while committing another crime, such as robbery. This offense can result in an additional 5-20 years in prison, on top of the sentence for the underlying crime.
Felons are the most likely group to commit weapon offenses, followed by juveniles and young adults. The vast majority of gun owners in the United States are responsible and law-abiding citizens. However, a small minority of gun owners use firearms unlawfully. As a result, guns are involved in many crimes each year.
The vast majority of weapons charges are for illegal possession of a firearm. Each year, there are over 700,000 arrests for this offense, which accounts for about 55% of all gun-related arrests.
The next most common weapons charge is for aggravated assault with a firearm, which accounted for just over 10% of gun-related arrests. This is followed by robbery (8%), homicide (4%), and rape (3%).
There are a number of factors that contribute to the high rate of gun violence in the United States. These include easy access to firearms, lax gun laws, and a culture that glorifies guns and violence.
In addition, many people in the US live in poverty and lack access to quality education and job opportunities. This can lead to desperation and frustration, which can, in turn, lead to violence.
The problem of gun violence in the United States is complex and multi-faceted. There is no single solution that will fix it. However, stricter gun laws and better access to mental health care are two important steps that could help reduce the number of shootings in the US.
Facing a weapon violation and need expert bail bond assistance in CT? BailCo has you covered!
If you or your loved one has been charged with a weapons violation offense, our specialists in Hartford County and across the state are at your disposal 24/7 to assist you with prompt services and expert advice about gun laws and penalties in Connecticut. Call BailCo Bail Bond Manchester immediately so we can take the necessary steps to secure your swift release and get you back home to your loved ones!