Last Updated on: 27th May 2023, 12:16 pm

Grand Theft Firearm is a “strike” offense in California and therefore a very serious charge that shouldn’t at any point be underestimated. If someone takes a firearm, they can be in for some messy legal consequences. At one point in time, this crime was always considered to be a “grand theft” but thanks to Proposition 47, it now must meet several requirements to be considered grand theft:

– Amount of firearms stolen must be worth more than $950
– Or the defendant must have had a prior conviction for either a sex crime that requires them to register as a sex offender or another serious felony like rape, murder, or sexual abuse of a child under 14)

If neither of those applies, then it’s viewed as California petty theft.

A Few Examples of Grand Theft of a Firearm

GTF might have taken place if:

– Someone breaks into a store and steals firearms worth over $950
– Someone breaks into a home and steals an old pistol that’s worth less than $950, but the person who broke in was a registered sex offender
– A woman asks to borrow and neighbor’s valuable antique gun but then she refuses to return it (And it’s worth more than $950)

Possible Penalties

Penalties for this crime can be steep. It’s a felony and it’s a strike law. A state prison sentence is a real possibility. You might receive up to 3 years in California state prison and be asked to pay a fine up to $10,000, no light penalties and certainly something to dwell on before trying to fight this charge without a lawyer. This is a very complex law, one that has many exceptions and defenses, and if you try to defend yourself you are quickly going to realize you’re fighting against a stacked deck. Prosecutors know what they’re doing. You need someone on your side that also knows this law inside and out. Only a defense attorney can give you your best chance to avoid prison or even a conviction.

Defenses for Grand Theft of a Firearm

Defenses that have worked for defense lawyers in the past include:

– Defendant didn’t mean to steal the gun(s)
– Total value was under $950 and was therefore not GTF
– You believed the gun was rightfully yours
– False accusations

At some point in the past, you can bet that one of these defenses has worked and a defendant has walked out of a courtroom with the charges either dismissed or reduced. And even in worst case scenarios where a conviction occurs, there’s a great chance that a defense attorney will be able to spare you prison time. You might get felony probation and at the very least be able to remain free while dealing with a probationary program. While it’s not always a great time, it’s far better than going to state prison.

And remember that this is a three strike conviction and one that is very, very serious. A third strike can mean 25-years to LIFE in prison. If you don’t like the idea of spending your life in prison, join the club, and hire a good defense attorney to defend you against this overwhelmingly serious charge. Strike laws are nothing to ever represent yourself during. You need the help of an attorney who deals with serious crimes and has successfully defended them in the past, not just any old attorney. When you look for an attorney for this charge, make sure they have a record of winning. If they’ve won in the past, there’s a great chance that they’re going to be able to work for you, too, and help you stay out of a strike conviction. Three strikes isn’t all that many for some people. A person with a rough life can quickly amass a couple of strikes at once. So don’t take any chances with this charge! Make sure that you call an experienced attorney today who has represented other GTF defendants and had them come out of the trial or proceedings with a smile on their face. There’s always something that a great defense attorney can do to help. It’s your best chance.

California has some fairly strict theft laws. You can be arrested and prosecuted for shoplifting from a supermarket or failing to pay for a meal at a restaurant. But what happens when you steal something that is both valuable and potentially dangerous?

While many minor incidences of stealing in Los Angeles may be considered petty theft, stealing certain items under certain conditions may be grounds for an automatic upgrade to grand theft. Stealing a firearm is one of the actions that may potentially cause this automatic upgrade. Keep reading to learn how an act of theft may have a huge impact on your life.

Grand Theft of a Firearm Explained

At one time in California, any theft of a firearm was considered grand theft. However, Proposition 47, which was passed in 2014, slightly amended this law. At the current time, under Section 487 of the California Penal Code, stealing a firearm may be considered grand theft if the following conditions are met:

• The value of the firearm is $950 or greater

OR

• The person who stole the firearm has been convicted of sex crime and registered as sex offender
• The person who stole the firearm has a previous felony conviction for murder, rape or sexual abuse of a child under 14

As you can see, stealing a firearm has the potential to incur a variety of serious legal penalties.

Grand Theft of a Firearm Example

Michael is visiting his friend Michelle. During the visit, Michelle shows Michael her brand new AR-15 rifle. She tells Michael that the gun is a custom model, worth well over $1000. Michael later returns to Michelle’s house and grabs the gun, stealing it. Michael may be convicted of grand theft of a firearm.

In another scenario, Carl was convicted of sexual assault 10 years ago and was required to register as a sexual offender. One day, he visits a pawn shop and looks at a .38 caliber revolver valued at $350. When the clerk is distracted, Carl snatches the pistol and exits the store. Although the value of the gun was less than $950, Carl may still be convicted of grand theft of a firearm because he had a previous felony conviction that fell under the rules of Proposition 47.

Legal Penalties

Committing grand theft of a firearm in Los Angeles is a felony offense. A conviction for this crime may lead to:

• Confinement in state prison for 16 months, two years or up to three years
• A fine of up to $10,000
• The addition of a “strike” to your record

Stealing a valuable gun in California can add a strike to your criminal record, which means that accruing three strikes can automatically sentence you to 25 years to life in prison. In addition, a “strike” crime is one in which 85% of the sentence must be served before you can be eligible for parole.

Strong Legal Defenses

Our law firm may be able to help you stay out of prison if you have been charged with grand theft of a firearm in Los Angeles. For example, we may argue that:

• You only borrowed the gun from a friend with no intention to steal it
• You were mistakenly identified as the culprit in the theft
• There is insufficient evidence to link you to the crime

A successful legal defense may mean that you can avoid prison time and a strike on your record.

Grand Theft Firearm is a very serious “strike” offense in California. It is considered grand theft if the stolen firearms are worth more than $950 or if the defendant has a prior conviction for a serious felony or a sex crime requiring them to register as a sex offender. Penalties for this crime can be severe, including up to three years in California state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Legal defenses for Grand Theft of a Firearm can include the defendant not intending to steal the guns, the total value being under $950, the belief that the gun was rightfully theirs, or false accusations.