| Gun laws are one of the mostly hotly contested | | | | municipalities, have enacted laws and accompanying |
| topics in the legal spectrum today. Each state has | | | | penalties to dissuade citizens from carrying unlicensed |
| their own gun laws, and in fact, many municipalities | | | | guns. |
| have laws in addition to those in place by their state. | | | | In New York City, the penalty for carrying an |
| Ostensibly in place to protect the citizens of this | | | | unlicensed handgun is jail time. The minimum sentence |
| country, the furor over gun control issues has often | | | | is 3.5 years, and the maximum sentence is 15. Just |
| become so heated that it has erupted into violence. | | | | for carrying an unlicensed gun. This is not for shooting |
| While nobody wants to be shot, it is up for grabs | | | | someone or even just discharging your weapon, this |
| whether more or less gun control is needed in order | | | | is for carrying it. Florida on the other hand is slightly |
| to prevent shootings. Many of the laws are in place | | | | more lenient. If you are caught carrying an unlicensed, |
| to help prevent children from gaining access to guns. | | | | concealed firearm, you are charged with a 3rd |
| Others are in place to prevent violent offenders from | | | | degree felony, which carries with it a maximum fine |
| getting their hands on a gun. This is why most places | | | | of $5000 and a maximum sentence of 5 years in |
| require a license in order to carry a handgun. | | | | prison. |
| Not unlike most laws in this country though, there are | | | | If you own a gun, or are considering buying a gun, it |
| those that break them. At any given time, there are | | | | is highly advisable that you learn all about the gun |
| many, many people carrying unlicensed handguns. | | | | control laws in your state and municipality. With laws |
| Some keep them in their cars, for fear of being | | | | varying so widely, it is never enough to assume. If |
| carjacked in a bad neighborhood. Some people carry | | | | you plan to travel form your state with a weapon, it |
| them, as protection from potential muggers. | | | | is also imperative that you familiarize yourself with |
| Whatever your reason for packing a gun, if it is | | | | the laws of wherever you may be visiting. The last |
| unlicensed, there are some very stiff penalties that | | | | thing that you would want to do is wind up in jail for |
| you could face, should you be caught. Ranging from | | | | 15 years because you were ignorant. |
| fines to jail time, each state and again, many | | | | |