In Georgia, felons with firearms face 1–10 years in prison, with mandatory 5 years for violent prior convictions. Even proximity to a gun can lead to charges. A Newnan lawyer can challenge evidence, protect your rights, and work toward better outcomes.
The stakes don’t get much higher. If you’ve been convicted of a felony in the past—even one from another state—and you’re now accused of possessing a gun in Newnan or anywhere in Georgia, you’re looking at a prison sentence if convicted. This isn’t a charge that gets resolved with a fine or a slap on the wrist. The law is harsh, the sentencing is unforgiving, and prosecutors take these cases seriously.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we don’t waste time judging—we focus on building a strategy that works. Whether the firearm wasn’t yours, you were unaware of its presence, or you’ve already earned back your right to possess weapons, we dig into the facts and challenge every part of the state’s case. You need an aggressive, experienced defense lawyer who’s not afraid to fight the system on your behalf.
Under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-131, it is a felony offense for any person convicted of a felony—or someone on felony first offender probation or conditional discharge—to knowingly receive, possess, or transport a firearm. The law covers all types of guns: handguns, rifles, shotguns, or any weapon that can discharge a projectile using explosive or electrical force.
This includes:
Georgia law doesn’t require you to actually fire or even brandish the weapon to face charges. Mere possession—constructive or actual—is enough.
Here’s what you’re up against:
The law is particularly unforgiving if your previous conviction was for a violent crime. Georgia defines “forcible felonies” to include:
In those cases, the court must sentence you to five years, no exceptions. No parole. No probation. No early release.
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon rarely travels alone. It often appears alongside charges like:
This is why having the right defense strategy is so important. One bad arrest can turn into a mountain of charges. Our job is to minimize that damage—or eliminate it entirely.
We hear this all the time: “The gun wasn’t mine. I didn’t even know it was there.” And guess what? That matters. But to win on that defense, you need more than your word—you need a legal team who can:
Our firm builds fact-based, motion-heavy defenses designed to knock the legs out from under the state’s case.
The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement violated your rights while searching your car, home, or person, the firearm might be inadmissible in court. That means the charge collapses.
We’ll review:
We’ve had felon-in-possession charges dismissed because the search was unconstitutional. If that’s your case—we’ll find it and act on it.
Yes, but it’s rare and not automatic.
Under Georgia law, if you’ve been convicted of a felony, you lose your right to possess firearms unless:
Neither of these happen quickly or easily, and unless you’ve gone through the full process successfully, you’re still legally barred from firearm possession.
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every case is different. Some of the strongest defenses we’ve used include:
District attorneys in Coweta County and across Georgia are under pressure to crack down on gun-related crimes. Felon-in-possession cases are low-hanging fruit for them—especially when the firearm is found in a car or house and you have a prior record.
They may not care about context. They may not care that you’ve turned your life around. Their job is to get convictions. Ours is to stop them.
Coweta County
Fayette County
Heard County
Meriwether County
Troup County
Carroll County
Douglas County
Fulton County (South)
Clayton County
Spalding County
Henry County
If you’ve been arrested or charged in Newnan with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, don’t talk to the police. Don’t try to explain. Don’t wait for the system to “understand.” Call a lawyer.
Our firm is ready to:
J. Ryan Brown Law represents people facing serious gun charges throughout Newnan and the surrounding counties. We understand how Georgia’s firearm laws work—and how to fight them. You don’t need someone to lecture you about your past. You need someone focused on your future.
Whether this is your first charge since a prior conviction or you’re looking at a second or subsequent offense, we’re here to give you a real shot at the outcome you deserve.
