Possession or use of a machine gun is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), carrying severe penalties including up to 10 years in federal prison. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Chesterfield County, VA. Call (888) 437-7747 for a consultation by appointment.
Possession or Use of a Machine Gun Lawyer in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Under federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) makes it unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machine gun, except as authorized by the Attorney General. A machine gun is defined under 26 U.S.C. § 5845(b) as any weapon that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. This includes any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun. Violations are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, which has jurisdiction over Chesterfield County. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience to federal criminal defense.
Last verified: May 2026 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) (Cornell LII — official site)
For official statutory text, refer to: 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) (Cornell LII — official site) and U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia (justice.gov — official site).
In the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, prosecutors routinely pursue machine gun possession charges aggressively due to federal sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimums. We have observed that early intervention and a thorough review of the government’s evidence can significantly impact the outcome.
- Do not speak to law enforcement without your attorney present.
- Preserve all evidence and documentation related to the case.
- Contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately.
- Review the indictment and understand the specific charges.
- Work with your attorney to challenge the legality of any search or seizure.
- Explore potential defense strategies, including procedural violations or lack of intent.
In Chesterfield County, possession or use of a machine gun carries a federal penalty of up to 10 years in prison, fines, and supervised release.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Possession of a Machine Gun (18 U.S.C. § 922(o)) | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years | Up to $250,000 | Federal firearm prohibition | Supervised release up to 3 years; no parole in federal system |
| Use of a Machine Gun During a Crime of Violence (18 U.S.C. § 924(c)) | Federal Felony | Mandatory minimum 30 years (consecutive) | Up to $250,000 | Federal firearm prohibition | Supervised release up to 5 years; no parole |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. The firm is dedicated to providing aggressive federal criminal defense in Chesterfield County and throughout Virginia.
Bryan Block, Defense Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA. Former Virginia State Trooper (15 years). View Bryan Block’s Profile
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has 5 documented results in Chesterfield County: 3 dismissed or not guilty, 2 reduced or amended — a favorable outcome in all reported instances. Results may vary. Firm-wide, SRIS has 4,739+ documented results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ.
Our location in Richmond is approximately 20 miles from the Chesterfield County General District Court at 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832, with access via I-95 and Route 10. If you need a possession or use of a machine gun lawyer near Chesterfield County, we are ready to help. Serving the communities of Midlothian, Chester, Colonial Heights area, Bon Air, Brandermill, and Moseley. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Richmond Location: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225 | (804) 201-9009 | By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between state and federal charges?
Federal charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney with generally harsher penalties and no parole. An experienced federal defense attorney is critical. Cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia under the Federal Criminal Code (18 U.S.C.).
Federal charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney with generally harsher penalties and no parole.
What is federal criminal court and how is it different in VA?
Federal criminal cases in VA are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys in U.S. District Court and carry harsher sentencing guidelines than state charges. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles federal defense — (888) 437-7747.
Federal criminal cases in VA are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys in U.S. District Court and carry harsher sentencing guidelines than state charges.
How do federal sentencing guidelines work in Chesterfield County, Virginia?
Federal sentencing at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia follows the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines — a points-based calculation using offense level and criminal history category. While advisory since Booker (2005), guidelines strongly influence sentencing. Mandatory minimum statutes override downward departures in many drug, firearm, and child exploitation offenses. Acceptance of responsibility, substantial assistance (§ 5K1.1), and safety-valve eligibility materially reduce exposure. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — (888) 437-7747.
Federal sentencing at U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia follows the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
How does a Virginia lawyer defend against possession or use of a machine gun charges?
Defense strategies for possession or use of a machine gun in Virginia may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under federal statutes to build the strongest possible defense.
Defense strategies for possession or use of a machine gun in Virginia may include challenging evidence and examining procedural compliance.
What should I do if I am facing possession or use of a machine gun charges in Virginia?
If facing possession or use of a machine gun charges in Virginia, contact a federal criminal attorney immediately. Do not discuss the case with anyone except your lawyer. Preserve all relevant documents and evidence. The statute of limitations and court deadlines under federal law require prompt action.
If facing possession or use of a machine gun charges in Virginia, contact a federal criminal attorney immediately.
For more information, visit our Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Virginia hub page. You may also be interested in our Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Albemarle County or Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Augusta County pages. Additionally, explore related practice areas such as Business Transaction Lawyer Chesterfield County and Trespass Defense Lawyer Chesterfield County.
Last verified: May 2026. This page was generated on 2026-05-02.