VUFA stands for “violation of the Uniform Firearms Act.” This is a general term used for a charge someone might face if they violate any part of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18, Chapter 61, Subchapter A, also known as the Uniform Firearms Act.
If you face allegations or charges of a VUFA, you have a right to a criminal defense lawyer. To protect your case and future, you can contact our gun charge defense attorney to discuss your legal options. You do not have to fight this on your own. A conviction could have significant consequences, so you want to take the allegations against you seriously.
What Is the Uniform Firearms Act?
The Uniform Firearms Act is a Pennsylvania law relating to the ownership, operation, possession, and use of pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, and other firearms. This is a complex and comprehensive law that addresses dozens of scenarios. A VUFA could stem from a violation of any part of this act.
Because a VUFA charge could be a summary offense, a misdemeanor, or a felony crime, it is important to understand the specific allegation or charge. Working with a criminal defense attorney ensures you understand the possible outcomes and have someone fighting on your behalf for an appropriate case outcome.
A VUFA could result in several years in prison, a significant fine, and a misdemeanor or felony charge on your record. Some people with previous offenses could face even stricter penalties.
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Examples of VUFA Charges
While the Uniform Firearms Act covers many aspects of gun use and ownership, and numerous ways exist to violate each section, some occur much more commonly than others. Some of the most common VUFAs include:
Illegal Possession, Control, or Transfer of a Firearm
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105, there is a long list of people for whom it is illegal to “possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer” a gun. This includes people with most felony convictions and some violent misdemeanors, too.
Many of these charges involve convicted felons. If you have a criminal history and face a VUFA, you should consider talking to a felony conviction defense attorney as soon as possible. When a convicted felon faces this VUFA charge, it could be a first-degree or second-degree felony. With a conviction, they could spend up to 20 years in prison and pay fines of up to $25,000.
Violation of Laws Related to Gun Licensing
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6106, the Uniform Firearms Act outlines who can carry a gun, the requirements for carrying it, and when they need to have a license to do so. Generally, it is illegal to carry a concealed gun if you are outside your home or business and do not have a license.
This VUFA is a misdemeanor offense if the illegal concealed carry is your only violation, and you qualify to obtain a concealed carry permit under Pennsylvania law. However, it could be a felony charge if you committed other crimes while illegally carrying a concealed firearm. This could make a charge such as illegal gun possession more serious. It also adds a felony charge to some misdemeanor crimes, even if you did not intend to use the gun while committing them.
Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Minor
Per 18 Pa.C.S. § 6110.1, no one under the age of 18 can possess, carry, or use a gun in Pennsylvania. However, there are some exceptions to this law. When a parent, grandparent, guardian, or another trusted adult directly supervises the use of a firearm, minors can handle, use, and transport them for several purposes:
- Safety training
- Target shooting
- Organized competition
- Lawful hunting and trapping
- Lawful transport of an unloaded gun
What Should You Do If You Are Accused of a VUFA?
Knowing what to do if you face a VUFA allegation or arrest is essential because quick action could make a difference in your case. Sometimes, a gun charge lawyer can present the facts during a preliminary hearing and stop the charges before they occur. In other cases, they can get the charges dropped quickly by arguing that:
- The crime they accused you of did not happen
- The gun use or carry was legal
- You were unaware of the gun
- The gun was owned and under the control of another party
- There was another reason why you should not be convicted of the gun crime
As soon as you learn about the accusation against you—whether that is because police want to question you or you face arrest— you may want to contact a criminal defense attorney familiar with gun crimes in Pennsylvania. You could benefit from having someone on your side fighting to clear your name or minimize the consequences you face from the start.
They will protect your rights, ensure you know what to expect, and answer your questions while they also investigate what happened. Your attorney will learn as much as possible about the circumstances that led to the accusation and the evidence against you.
Our criminal defense attorney also reviews the police actions in these cases. The way they uncover and collect evidence must meet certain rules and not violate your rights. When evidence is illegally collected, the judge could throw it out, and they will not be able to proceed with the case. There could be other procedural errors, rights violations, or other missteps in these cases, too.
Get Help From Our Firm If You Face Gun Crime Allegations in Pennsylvania
The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC, represents clients facing a wide range of gun charges in Pennsylvania. If there are allegations of a VUFA or you already face charges, you can speak to our team about your case. We offer a free consultation for individuals who need our help with their violation of the Uniform Firearms Act case.
Contact us today to learn more during a confidential consultation.
