- It could not be presumed that defendant, as owner and head of a household, owned or possessed the firearms found therein during a search for drugs, where there was no other evidence to show that defendant owned or possessed the firearms; the evidence was not sufficient to support defendant's conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Malcolm v. State, 263 Ga. 369, 434 S.E.2d 479 (1993). 16-11-131; because the possession count was a predicate offense for the felony murder count, the prior conviction that was admitted into evidence was relevant to the felony murder count, and it was not necessary to sever the possession count. Because a defendant was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, a felony under O.C.G.A. The issue in Greer v. United States involved 18 USC 922 (g), the federal law prohibiting felons from possessing firearms. Warren v. State, 289 Ga. App. Fed. Malone v. State, 337 Ga. App. 16-3-21(a) and16-11-138 in combination effectively provide this rule of law: A person is justified in threatening or using force against another, or in possessing a weapon in circumstances otherwise prohibited under the Code, when and to the extent that he or she reasonably believes that such threat or force or conduct otherwise prohibited is necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. 2d 74 (1992); Holcomb v. State, 231 Ga. App. 3. Wyche v. State, 291 Ga. App. Section 46.04 of the Texas Penal Code specifically states that a person who has been 481, 657 S.E.2d 533 (2008), cert. 16-11-131, and introduction of evidence of previous conviction during trial of issue of guilt was not error. Rev. 16-5-2, felony murder predicated on possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of O.C.G.A. State v. Remy, 308 Ga. 296, 840 S.E.2d 385 (2020). Edmunds v. Cowan, 192 Ga. App. 16-11-131 as the state was not required to prove that the gun was operational at the time the defendant possessed the gun. Jones v. State, 318 Ga. App. Landers v. State, 250 Ga. 501, 299 S.E.2d 707 (1983). Count of possession of firearm by convicted felon does not merge with related armed robbery charge. Smith v. State, 180 Ga. App. Jones v. State, 350 Ga. App. Johnson v. State, 282 Ga. 235, 647 S.E.2d 48 (2007). Hightower v. State, 278 Ga. 39, 597 S.E.2d 362 (2004). 16-11-131(b). 604, 327 S.E.2d 566 (1985). 1983, Art. Landers v. State, 250 Ga. 501, 299 S.E.2d 707 (1983). 16-11-131 was tantamount to a directed verdict, requiring reversal. S08C0978, 2008 Ga. LEXIS 508 (Ga. 2008). Sufficiency of evidence of possession in prosecution under state statute prohibiting persons under indictment for, or convicted of, crime from acquiring, having, carrying, or using firearms or weapons, 43 A.L.R.4th 788. 493, 349 S.E.2d 490 (1986); Booker v. State, 257 Ga. 37, 354 S.E.2d 425 (1987); Jackson v. State, 186 Ga. App. .010 Definitions for chapter. 16-11-131, the trial court did not err in instructing the jury on the definitions of constructive and joint possession to enable the jury to consider whether defendant "possessed" the weapon within the meaning of that section. 448, 352 S.E.2d 642 (1987). Brooks v. State, 285 Ga. 424, 677 S.E.2d 68 (2009). 16-11-131(b) clearly prohibited all convicted felons from possessing a firearm until the felons were pardoned from the felons' felony convictions or otherwise relieved of the disability, and no exception was made for an invalid outstanding felony conviction. Miller v. State, 283 Ga. 412, 658 S.E.2d 765 (2008). P. 26(b)(3), 44 A.L.R. denied, No. - In a case where the defendant shot and killed the victim during a robbery, trial counsel's performance was not deficient simply because counsel did not move to sever the firearm possession charge from the other counts of the indictment, since that charge was material to the more serious charges, including malice murder, and, thus, it was not incumbent upon the trial court to bifurcate the trial. 16-11-131 provides sufficient notice to a person of ordinary intelligence that a conviction by an out-of-state court of a crime, which authorized punishment of up to three years in prison, is a felony conviction for purposes of the statute. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in federal prison. 372, 626 S.E.2d 567 (2006). 76, 635 S.E.2d 380 (2006). State v. Langlands, 276 Ga. 721, 583 S.E.2d 18 (2003). .030 Defacing a firearm. - Jury was authorized to find that the disassembled rifle was a firearm within the statutory definition. Suluki v. State, 302 Ga. App. Webprobationers are generally forbidden to possess firearms, and if a convicted felon or felony first-offender probationer unlawfully possesses a firearm, he commits a felony. Fain v. State, 259 Ga. 708, 386 S.E.2d 144 (1989). 16-11-106(b)(1), carrying a concealed weapon, O.C.G.A. Evidence was sufficient to support the defendant's convictions for trafficking in cocaine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and felony fleeing or attempting to elude based on the defendant's involvement in a police chase that included speeds in excess of 100 m.p.h. With regard to a defendant's conviction on two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the trial court did not err in denying the defendant's motion for directed verdict based on the defendant's contention that a prior out-of-state conviction was not a felony conviction; given that the defendant was convicted of an offense that carried a maximum punishment of three years in prison, the trier of fact properly concluded that the defendant had been convicted of an offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of one year or more, pursuant to O.C.G.A. - In a case in which the evidence showed that defendant, a convicted felon, used a firearm to shoot the deceased, a trial court erred in granting defendant's motion to quash the indictment under O.C.G.A. Tanner v. State, 259 Ga. App. The good news is that you have options. 16-11-131(b), indicated that the quantity of firearms was inconsequential and that the gravamen of the offense was the general receipt, possession, or transportation of firearms by convicted felons, rather than the specific quantity of firearms received, possessed, or transported and, therefore, the statute unambiguously permitted only one conviction for simultaneous possession of any number of firearms. Certified copies of a defendant's out-of-state judgment of conviction, associated complaint, and plea hearing transcript were properly admitted into evidence to show that the defendant was a convicted felon for purposes of O.C.G.A. Despite the trial court's abuse of discretion in rejecting the defendant's offer to stipulate to a prior conviction for aggravated child molestation, that error was harmless as it was undisputed that the defendant was a convicted felon, admitted to possessing the firearm, and failed to give any justification for possession or offer any evidence of a legal reason to do so. 374, 641 S.E.2d 619 (2007). 16-11-131(a)(2). 24-14-6), to exclude every other reasonable hypothesis except that of the defendant's guilt; the defendant made several admissions to officers that constituted direct evidence including that the defendant had a gun in the defendant's bedroom and that the defendant used the gun to hunt. - Conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon could not stand because the same prior conviction could not support both recidivist sentencing and a conviction of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and also a nolo contendere plea could not serve as proof of a prior conviction for a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; the prior conviction remained available to support enhanced sentencing as a recidivist, however. After the plaintiff appealed a district court's dismissal with prejudice of the complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the plaintiff's prosecution for violating 18 U.S.C. Criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. - Possession of an antique shotgun while a convicted felon was sufficient to sustain a conviction under O.C.G.A. 1. King v. State, 169 Ga. App. The law says guns are forbidden for those convicted of crimes that attract prison terms exceeding a year. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. O.C.G.A. Merely having once been sentenced to a term of probation as a first offender is not an element of the crime defined in O.C.G.A. denied, 464 U.S. 1069, 104 S. Ct. 975, 79 L. Ed. 105, 733 S.E.2d 407 (2012). 2d 213 (1984). 444, 313 S.E.2d 144 (1984). Chenoweth v. State, 281 Ga. 7, 635 S.E.2d 730 (2006). 17-10-7 were valid. 16-11-131 is not an ex post facto law because it creates a new offense and imposes punishment for that offense only. denied, 129 S. Ct. 481, 172 L. Ed. - Evidence that the defendant was in possession of a handgun "around the time of the shooting" was relevant and material to a charge of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. 135, 395 S.E.2d 574 (1990). Warren v. State, 289 Ga. App. 137, 570 S.E.2d 424 (2002); Herring v. State, 277 Ga. 317, 588 S.E.2d 711 (2003); Thornton v. State, 288 Ga. App. Johnson v. State, 279 Ga. App. 323, 504 S.E.2d 19 (1998); Adams v. State, 239 Ga. App. Chapter 790. 3d Art. - For annual survey of criminal law, see 56 Mercer L. Rev. 2d 344 (2008), overruled on other grounds, No. Sufficient evidence supported the defendant's conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon based on the gun being found in close physical proximity to the defendant and that the defendant had in a pocket the exact number of the proper caliber bullets to completely reload the gun; although others had access to the car before the defendant took possession of the car, the evidence authorized the conclusion that the car had been visually inspected at a point close in time to when the defendant had sole access. 16-11-131. Jury was authorized to find the defendant guilty of voluntary manslaughter, O.C.G.A. Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon in Collin County, Texas. However, because the defendant possessed all six of the long guns simultaneously, those six counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon involving the long guns merged for purposes of sentencing. What constitutes "constructive possession" of unregistered or otherwise prohibited weapon under state law, 88 A.L.R.5th 121. .050 Possession of 301, 460 S.E.2d 871 (1995). 331, 631 S.E.2d 388 (2006). 165, 661 S.E.2d 226 (2008), cert. As used in this Code section, the term "forcible felony" means any felony which involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any person and further includes, without limitation, murder; murder in the second degree; burglary in any degree; robbery; armed robbery; home invasion in any degree; kidnapping; hijacking of an aircraft or hijacking a motor vehicle in the first degree; aggravated stalking; rape; aggravated child molestation; aggravated sexual battery; arson in the first degree; the manufacturing, transporting, distribution, or possession of explosives with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate individuals or destroy a public building; terroristic threats; or acts of treason or insurrection. Varner v. State, 306 Ga. 726, 832 S.E.2d 792 (2019). 16-11-131 does not limit the number of prior felony convictions that may be considered to establish the offense. 10.16 Using a Firearm While under the Influence 790.151, Fla. Stat. - When officers went to a defendant's residence to conduct a probation search based on a tip that the defendant was involved with drugs, as the defendant willingly led the officers to a concealed gun, and voluntarily furnished a urine sample that tested positive for methamphetamine, the defendant gave valid consent to the search, which eliminated the need for either probable cause or a search warrant under U.S. Convictions of felony murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon were supported by sufficient evidence showing that, during an argument involving the defendant and the two victims, the defendant told one of the victims to go get the victim's guns, adding that the defendant had guns, the victim went to the victim's vehicle and retrieved two handguns, approached with arms crossed and a gun in each hand, and the defendant took a gun out of the waistband of the defendant's pants and started shooting, wounding one victim and killing the other victim. 828, 711 S.E.2d 387 (2011). denied, No. 16-11-131, since the violation of that statute was an other crime not shown to be connected with the one on trial, served no useful or relevant purpose, placed the defendant's character in evidence, and was prejudicial to the defendant. Construction and application of state statutes and local ordinances regulating licenses or permits to carry concealed weapons, 12 A.L.R.7th 4. 24-5-506) to try a firearms possession charge, which required evidence of a prior felony conviction, together with a marijuana and a burglary charge. 16-5-1 and on possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in violation of O.C.G.A. Head v. State, 170 Ga. App. Thompson v. State, 281 Ga. App. 735, 691 S.E.2d 626 (2010). For article on the 2018 amendment of this Code section, see 35 Ga. St. U.L. 55, 601 S.E.2d 434 (2004). this Section, Chapter 11 - Offenses Against Public Order and Safety, Article 4 - Dangerous Instrumentalities and Practices, Part 3 - Carrying and Possession of Firearms. Ledesma v. State, 251 Ga. 487, 306 S.E.2d 629 (1983), cert. Coursey v. State, 196 Ga. App. 16-11-131; two witnesses testified that the defendant had told the witnesses that the defendant shot the victim, and one of the witnesses testified that the defendant stated that the shooting occurred during a robbery, the defendant discarded a gun that was later found to be the murder weapon while fleeing police on another crime, and the defendant admitted to police that the murder weapon was the defendant's, that the defendant stole $100 from the victims, and that the defendant shot the murder victim. - Defendant's conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon was reversed because the defendant established ineffective assistance of counsel for counsel's failure to object to the witness's testimony that improperly bolstered the investigator's testimony and credibility. Tanksley v. State, 281 Ga. App. O.C.G.A. Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1996, "18 U.S.C.