Serving Clients Charged With Criminal Offenses in Southeastern Wisconsin
Wisconsin believes in protecting the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. We have some of the strongest protections against gun control in the country. Along with the strong protections, however, come some of the harshest penalties for violating guns and weapons laws in the state.
Need a Racine or Kenohsa Gun Charges Attorney?
If you are facing misdemeanor or felony weapons charges in Southeastern Wisconsin, talk to an attorney at Cafferty & Scheidegger, S.C., in Racine. Our team of aggressive criminal defense attorneys have earned a reputation for excellence and integrity among prosecutors and judges. Our firm investigates every possible strategy for helping you protect your civil rights. When necessary, we turn to professional investigators to help us challenge the prosecutor’s case and find alternatives to a conviction for a gun charge on your record.
The Governing Wisconsin Statutes
Wisconsin’s weapons statutes are concentrated in Chapter 941. Two of the most commonly charged are:
- Wis. Stat. § 941.23: Carrying a concealed weapon. With a valid Wisconsin concealed-carry license, concealed carry is permitted in most public places; without one, it is a Class A misdemeanor.
- Wis. Stat. § 941.29: Felon in possession of a firearm. Any person previously convicted of a felony who possesses a firearm commits a Class G felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Wisconsin also criminalizes possession of short-barreled shotguns and rifles, possession by persons subject to a domestic-violence injunction, and possession on school grounds. Each of these carries its own penalty tier and its own set of contested elements. Possession itself is often the litigable question. Constructive possession requires proof the accused knew the firearm was there and had the ability to control it.
We have a successful record protecting the rights of people charged with guns and weapons charges such as:
- Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, concealed carry violations
- Felon in possession of firearm
- Illegally carrying a short-barreled shot gun
- Reckless aiming and pointing
- Illegal transport of a weapon
- Possession of an illegal firearm
- Hunting without a license, hunting out of season
- Federal weapons charges, ATF offenses
Success Built on Integrity and Hard Work for Every Client
Patrick Cafferty is an experienced criminal defense attorney who handles each case personally. Since 1994, he has been representing Wisconsin residents facing criminal charges and has earned the respect of his clients and many of the major players in the legal community. His dedication to client service and his record of success have earned him a listing as a Wisconsin Super Lawyer® from 2008 through 2026.
Weapons Charges by Statute
Specific weapons-case types we defend:
- Felon in possession of a firearm, Wis. Stat. § 941.29 / 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), state Class G felony and federal 15-year max / ACCA minimum.
- CCW (carrying concealed weapon) charges, § 941.23 / § 175.60, licensed vs. unlicensed, reciprocity, post-Bruen challenges.
Related Violent-Crime Defense
Weapons charges often stack with other violent-crime allegations. Our related practice areas:
Contact an Experienced Racine Gun Charges Attorney
From offices in Racine and Kenosha, the criminal defense attorneys at Cafferty and Scheidegger defend the rights of people charged with state and federal criminal offenses throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Don’t trust your case with a firm with one lawyer, you need a team of trusted experts. Contact the firm to arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced Racine gun charges attorney right away. You are welcome to call or text us 24 hours a day at 262-632-5000.
