Every July, the neighborhoods of Chandler are filled with families enjoying themselves, backyard BBQs, and folks going to watch the fireworks, but tragically not every 4th of July celebration ends without incident. While some people celebrate by firing a gun in the air, this is actually a Class 6 felony under Arizona’s “Shannon’s Law” (A.R.S. 13-3107). Maricopa County prosecutors take this very seriously, even if you had no intention of hurting anyone and were just going along with the party atmosphere. Luckily, a Chandler Shannon’s Law defense lawyer can help.
This post breaks down exactly what you’re up against and how an experienced Chandler discharge firearm city lawyer at Lerner and Rowe Law Group can help protect your future.
What Is Shannon’s Law?
Shannon’s Law is named after 14-year-old Shannon Smith, who was killed in Phoenix by a bullet that someone had fired into the air. Her tragic death led to Arizona passing one of the toughest laws in the country, making it a crime to fire a gun into the air during celebrations.
Under A.R.S. 13-3107 it’s considered a Class 6 felony to knowingly fire a gun within or into the city limits of any municipality. Prosecutors don’t have to show you intended to hurt anyone—or even that you knew you were in a restricted area. The simple act of firing a gun is enough to get you in serious trouble.
What makes this law especially severe:
- It’s not even necessary to hit someone – the mere act of firing a gun is enough to break the law
- Intent is largely a non-issue – celebrating the 4th of July is no defense to the charge
- You’ll get a felony on your record – a Class 6 felony will follow you for the rest of your life and affect your employment, housing, and gun rights
- You could even end up in prison – depending on the circumstances, you could still get sent to prison as a first-time offender
As you can see, the stakes are high when you’re facing a Maricopa County unlawful discharge of a firearm charge.
How 4th of July in Chandler Can Lead to Arrests
Chandlers’ July 4th celebrations bring in thousands—from Tumbleweed Park to the jammed neighborhoods around the Chandler Fashion Center and the downtown San Marcos area. Families congregate along the Green Belt trails that run parallel to Alma School Road, block parties spring up in all the usual places like Fulton Ranch and Ocotillo, and crowds spill out into parking lots and areas like Chandler Heights and Germann Road.
Even in the midst of all that good cheer, a split-second decision can turn the whole evening upside down. Maricopa County police beef up patrols in Chandler over the 4th of July weekend just to deal with the aftermath of gunfire.
Take a few examples. Someone nearby gets scared and calls 911 because they heard a shot near the Paseo Trail area. A neighbor calls the police after hearing a single shot being fired in a backyard off Ray Road. The police arrive, take some statements from witnesses, and suddenly your holiday weekend has turned into a messy situation. And because of that, you could be facing a Class 6 felony under Shannon’s Law.
Chandler Shannon’s Law Defense: Penalties You Could Face
The consequences you’ll face during a A.R.S. 13-3107 felony defense include:
- A Class 6 felony conviction
- One year in prison for Chandler Fourth of July arrests
- Probation
- Losing your right to own guns
- Limited employment options
For someone who just wanted to celebrate Independence Day without any trouble, these consequences can be utterly devastating. That’s the harsh reality of how Arizona law handles this offense—and why having a top-notch defense strategy in place is crucial.
Celebratory Gunfire Arrest FAQs
Q: I fired a single shot into the air—I wasn’t even aiming at anyone. Does that really land me with a felony?
Yes, it can. Under Shannon’s Law (A.R.S. 13-3107), it’s the fact that you fired within the city limits that’s the real problem, not whether you actually hit anyone. And as tough as it sounds, Arizona courts have stuck by these charges even when nobody got hurt.
Q: If they don’t have any video or physical evidence – can the police still charge me?
A single neighbor’s testimony can be enough to stick a charge on you, but cases built on a single tip are often much more defensible. A seasoned attorney will look closely at whether the police did enough to back up that tip.
Q: Can I get this expunged from my record later on?
Arizona doesn’t have a traditional expungement policy, but they do let you “set-aside” some felony convictions under A.R.S. 13-907. But a set-aside still leaves the conviction on the books, and it still won’t get your firearm rights back without a specific request to also restore your firearm rights. That’s why avoiding a felony in the first place, through a top-notch defense, is always the way to go.
Q: If I get convicted, will I automatically get sent to prison?
Not by default, but it’s a real possibility, especially in Maricopa County. First-time offenders might be able to get a break and get put on probation under some circumstances. Having a skilled attorney on your side to try and negotiate a better outcome can make a huge difference.
Q: How soon should I get an attorney on the case?
Right away. Whether you’ve been arrested, you just got a notice to appear, or you even just think you might be under investigation, it never hurts to get a defense team in place ASAP.
Need Help With Chandler Shannon’s Law Defense? We’re Here
At Lerner and Rowe Law Group, our Chandler criminal defense attorneys know how disorienting it is when you get hit with a felony charge. We’re not here to judge you—we’re here to help you out of this mess.
We’ve got deep experience handling Chandler Shannon’s Law defense cases and A.R.S. 13-3107 felony defense matters across Maricopa County. We know how cases are built, and we know how to fight back.
Give us a call at (602) 977-1900, fill out our contact form, or use LiveChat now. We’re available 24/7 and are ready to help.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.