Unlawful Dealing in Firearms lawyer Prince George’s County, MD
A knock at the door at dawn. Federal agents with a warrant. They search every room and seize firearms, ammunition, and records. Days later, you are indicted on federal charges of unlawfully dealing in firearms. The case is now in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Greenbelt Division. You need an attorney who understands how the federal system works—and who can start building a defense immediately. Reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 to speak with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel about your case. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
The Federal Strategy You Need: What You’re Up Against
A federal charge of unlawfully dealing in firearms—prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 922 and related statutes—is not a routine state gun case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland brings these charges with the backing of investigative agencies such as the ATF, FBI, or DEA. The case will move under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and if convicted, a defendant faces mandatory minimum prison terms, substantial fines, and the real possibility of asset forfeiture. There is no parole in the federal system. The government will have spent months, sometimes years, building its file before an arrest is ever made. Your defense must be prepared to challenge that file head-on.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel, including attorneys with former prosecutorial experience, understand both the law and the way federal prosecutors build firearm-trafficking cases. They scrutinize every step of the investigation—search warrants, wiretap applications, cooperating-witness statements, ATF tracing reports, forensic firearm examinations—for procedural and constitutional vulnerabilities. A well-prepared defense does not just react to the government’s evidence; it tests it at every turn.
What to Expect When Facing Federal Firearms Charges in Prince George’s County
Most federal cases in Prince George’s County begin with a grand jury investigation that may have been underway long before you knew you were a target. The case is handled at the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, with the Greenbelt courthouse at 6500 Cherrywood Lane serving the county. Arraignment and initial appearance typically take place before a federal magistrate judge. From that first appearance, the Speedy Trial Act clock starts running, and the court schedules pretrial deadlines that move quickly. Discovery can be voluminous: federal agents’ reports, forensic firearm analyses, intercepted communications, financial records, and witness testimony.
The firm’s Rockville location—199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, Maryland—is within driving distance of the Greenbelt courthouse. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear regularly in federal court in Maryland and are familiar with the local practices and expectations of the judges and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this district. They work to position each client for favorable outcomes, whether that means negotiating a favorable plea with reduced charges, seeking pretrial dismissal of defective counts, or taking the case to trial when the facts warrant it.
Penalties for Unlawful Dealing in Firearms Under 18 U.S.C. § 922
A conviction for unlawfully dealing in firearms can result in a federal prison sentence measured in years, not months. The sentence depends on factors such as the number of firearms involved, whether the offense is connected to other criminal activity, and the defendant’s criminal history. The advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines drive the calculation, but the judge retains the authority to vary upward or downward from the guideline range after considering the statutory factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). Mandatory minimum sentences often apply—particularly if the firearms were connected to drug trafficking or crimes of violence—and consecutive time can be imposed for multiple counts involving a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). In addition to imprisonment, the court may order supervised release for a term following incarceration, monetary fines, and the forfeiture of all firearms and ammunition seized during the investigation.
Results in any federal criminal case depend on the specific facts and the legal arguments presented. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel have extensive combined legal experience in federal criminal matters and work to identify every available argument—suppression of evidence, attacking the credibility of cooperating witnesses, or demonstrating that the government cannot prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Results may vary.
Why Experience Matters: Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced criminal law since 1997 and is admitted in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He is a former prosecutor who understands how the government prepares a federal firearms case from the inside out. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). That perspective—combining courtroom advocacy with an understanding of how legislation is shaped—informs his approach to complex federal defense.
Working alongside Mr. Sris are the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, whose collective background includes former prosecutorial and law-enforcement experience. Their knowledge of federal investigative techniques and sentencing practices is critical in a case charging unlawful dealing in firearms. The team’s goal is to provide a thorough, prompt defense that addresses both the immediate court deadlines and the long-term consequences of a federal conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is “unlawful dealing in firearms” under federal law?
Unlawful dealing in firearms refers to engaging in the business of selling, trading, or transferring firearms without a federal firearms license, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1) and related statutes. Even a small number of transactions may be charged as dealing if the government believes they show a pattern of selling guns for profit. Federal law also criminalizes other conduct linked to illegal firearm sales, such as making false statements to a licensed dealer or selling to prohibited persons. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does a federal firearms charge in Prince George’s County differ from a state charge?
A federal charge carries different procedural rules, sentencing exposure, and investigative resources than a state charge. Federal prosecutors work with specialized agencies like the ATF, and the case is heard in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. The penalties tend to be more severe, there is no parole, and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines create a structured—but not binding—sentencing framework. A lawyer familiar with federal practice in Maryland can help you understand those differences and how they affect your options. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What should I do if ATF agents or federal investigators contact me?
If federal agents want to speak with you about firearms transactions, do not answer questions or consent to a search without an attorney present. Politely state that you wish to speak with counsel and provide no statements. Anything you say can become evidence against you. Then call an attorney immediately. The firm’s attorneys can advise you on how to handle further contact with the government and can intervene to stop direct questioning. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
Can the charges be dismissed or reduced?
Dismissal or reduction of federal firearm charges is possible when the government’s evidence is weak or when constitutional violations are uncovered. For example, a faulty search warrant, an unlawful stop, or improper handling of evidence may lead to suppression. Additionally, in appropriate cases, a plea bargain may result in a charge less serious than the original indictment. Every case is different. An experienced defense attorney can evaluate the record for potential challenges. To discuss the path forward, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
What role does the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt play in my case?
If you are charged in or near Prince George’s County, your case will likely be heard at the Greenbelt Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. This courthouse handles all phases of a federal criminal prosecution, from the initial appearance to trial and sentencing. The judges and prosecutors in that division have extensive experience with federal firearms cases. Having an attorney who regularly appears in that courthouse helps ensure your defense is aligned with local court expectations. For more information, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
Do I need a lawyer if I have not been charged yet but am under investigation?
Yes. Retaining counsel before charges are filed can be critical to protecting your rights and shaping the direction of the investigation. A lawyer can communicate with investigators on your behalf, preserve evidence, and begin building a defense while the government is still assembling its case. Early representation can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all. Speak with Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747 to understand your situation before you make any decisions.
Speak with an Unlawful Dealing in Firearms Lawyer Serving Prince George’s County
Federal firearms charges demand a defense that is as thorough and deliberate as the investigation that led to them. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent clients throughout Prince George’s County—from Upper Marlboro and Bowie to Hyattsville, Greenbelt, and beyond. They can meet with you at the Rockville location by appointment and appear at all proceedings in the Greenbelt federal courthouse.
Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation. The phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All discussions are confidential, and you will speak directly with a member of the firm who understands federal criminal defense.
For a comprehensive statutory breakdown of federal firearms offenses, visit the firm’s main resource page at srislawyer.com.
Additional federal criminal defense pages for Maryland:
Montgomery County Federal Criminal Lawyer · Howard County Federal Criminal Lawyer · Anne Arundel County Federal Criminal Lawyer
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Rockville Location: 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850 · (888) 437-7747. By appointment only.
Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.