Understanding the Criminal Justice System
A “zip gun” is a slang term for any kind of improvised or home-made device that is capable of shooting bullets. Originally, zip guns were very crude devices, made with pipes and wood blocks, using rubber bands to create the force needed to drive the firing pin against the primer on the bullet to ignite the gunpowder and fire the bullet.
In more recent years, zip guns have gotten more sophisticated. They may be assembled from kits or by using 3-D printing to create certain parts of the gun and adding components such as a metal barrel, where plastic is unable to handle the stress of firing a bullet. The term “improvised firearm” is often used instead of the older term “zip gun” to describe these newer and more sophisticated types of homemade firearms.
In Indiana, it is not illegal to own a zip gun or a self-made gun, with one exception that applies whether or not the firearm is a zip gun, an improvised firearm, or a commercially-manufactured firearm: owning or operating a machine gun is prohibited by law. A machine gun is any weapon that can shoot automatically “more than one (1) shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.” Possession of a machine gun is a Level 5 felony.
And because Indiana is a “constitutional carry” state, you do not need a license to own a firearm – even a zip gun or improvised firearm. There are limitations on this, however. If you have been convicted of a felony or certain domestic violence crimes, your right to own and carry a firearm may be taken away from you by the state. And if you sell or give away your zip gun, you should not do so to a person who is prohibited by law from owning or possessing a firearm.
If you have been charged with any crime related to the use of a firearm, whether it’s a zip gun, a kit gun, or a manufactured gun, you need a strong defense. Many crimes are charged at a higher level when firearms are involved, and you can face much more serious consequences as a result.
At Razumich & Associates, our experienced criminal defense attorneys know what it takes to defend our clients against all types of criminal charges, whether in state or federal court in Indiana. We know the laws and procedures that apply in these cases, and are familiar with how prosecutors and judges operate. Contact us at 317-983-5333 or fill out our contact form so we can get in touch to learn more about your case and to explain how we will fight for your rights.
