A 51-year-old man faces criminal charges after his gun accidentally went off as he was cleaning it. The incident occurred in the 2600 block of Avalanche Heights in Colorado Springs. Officials say the man was cleaning his gun when it misfired. The bullet went through his wall and struck his neighbor, who was sitting on a couch at the time of the accident. The neighbor was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The 51-year-old man was jailed on charges of illegal discharge of a firearm.
You can face charges for the illegal discharge of a firearm if you accidentally fire a round from a gun. This most often occurs during cleaning as it did in this case. In one moment, there is no intention of hurting anyone or of committing a crime and in the next moment, a gun has gone off and charges are filed.
It is a class 5 felony in Colorado to discharge a weapon in an occupied structure such as a home, vehicle, or office. A conviction for illegal discharge of a firearm can result in up to three years in prison. A conviction will result in the loss of the ability to own a firearm in the future and the creation of a criminal record that can affect future career opportunities.
It is important to remember that firing a weapon can result in felony charges even when no one is hurt. Whenever a stray bullet enters a home, it can result in felony charges. It is sometimes possible, however, to negotiate for the reduced charge of discharging a firearm recklessly or with criminal negligence, which is a class 2 misdemeanor.
If you are facing gun-related charges, you need an experienced Colorado Springs criminal defense attorney who has handed similar cases successfully. You may be able to fight the charges or negotiate for significantly reduced charges.
Contact The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today. You can reach us at (719) 475-2555.