Possession or Use of a Machine Gun Lawyer in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Possession or use of a machine gun is a serious federal offense under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) and 26 U.S.C. § 5845, carrying severe penalties including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Call (888) 437-7747 for a consultation by appointment only.

Understanding Possession or Use of a Machine Gun Charges

Federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) generally prohibits the possession or transfer of a machine gun manufactured after May 19, 1986. Additionally, 26 U.S.C. § 5845 defines a machine gun 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. Violations are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Penalties can include up to 10 years in federal prison, fines, and forfeiture of the weapon. Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” brings 120+ years combined legal experience.

Last verified: May 2026 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia | 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) (Cornell LII)

Official Legal References

Review the official statutes governing machine gun possession and use:

Local Procedural Insights for Fredericksburg Federal Cases

In the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, prosecutors routinely pursue machine gun charges with aggressive sentencing recommendations. We have observed that federal agents, including the ATF and FBI, conduct thorough investigations before seeking an indictment. Early intervention by an experienced attorney can significantly impact the outcome.

Do not speak to law enforcement without your attorney present.
Preserve all evidence, including documents and digital records.
Contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately.
Attend all court appearances as scheduled.
Work with your attorney to explore all defense strategies.
Consider the potential for a negotiated resolution or trial.

In Fredericksburg, Virginia, possession or use of a machine gun carries severe federal penalties including up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines.

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 firearms license revoked	Forfeiture of weapon; supervised release
Use of a Machine Gun During a Crime of Violence (18 U.S.C. § 924(c))	Federal Felony	Mandatory minimum 30 years (if machine gun used)	Up to $250,000	Federal firearms license revoked	Consecutive sentence; no parole

Results may vary.

Why Choose Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for Your Federal Defense?

Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., “Advocacy Without Borders,” 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%. Our firm has extensive experience handling complex federal criminal cases, including machine gun charges, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. We understand the high stakes and aggressive prosecution tactics in federal court.

Mr. Sris

Mr. Sris, former prosecutor, founded Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997 and personally amended Va. Code § 20-107.3. He has extensive experience in federal criminal defense, including machine gun possession cases. Mr. Sris is admitted to the Virginia Bar and has handled cases across multiple states.

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

Our Track Record in Federal Criminal Defense

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Fredericksburg and across Virginia. While specific case results for machine gun charges are not publicly available, our firm has 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, with a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Results may vary.

Our Location and Service Area

Our location in Fairfax is approximately 45 miles from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria Division), with access via I-95 and Route 1. We serve clients in Fredericksburg and surrounding communities including Downtown, Ferry Farm, Spotsylvania border, and Stafford border. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.

Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032
Phone: (703) 636-5417 | Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747
By appointment only.

Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Machine Gun Charges

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.

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.

How do federal sentencing guidelines work in Fredericksburg (City), 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.

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 Criminal general statutes to build the strongest possible defense.

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 Virginia law require prompt action.

Related Practice Areas

Learn more about our federal criminal defense services:

Last verified: May 2026