Gun Trafficking Charges in Fort Myers: What Are the Penalties?

Florida has some of the most generous gun laws in the nation, and people here are free to purchase all kinds of firearms with relatively little government oversight. While this is certainly a benefit for many people who enjoy their Second Amendment rights, it can also create legal challenges for those who sell firearms illegally. If you face gun trafficking charges in Fort Myers, you might be curious about potential penalties. Can a defense attorney help in this scenario?

What Is the Definition of Gun Trafficking in Florida?

Florida has very few gun trafficking laws. This is because you can privately transfer as many firearms as you want to another person in a single transaction. As long as you keep your transaction within Florida, you should not incur any penalties. Even if the buyer later turns out to be a felon or a criminal, you may avoid criminal penalties if you did not know their status at the time of the transaction. You can only face consequences if you knew or should have known the buyer was a felon before the transaction took place.

Federal Gun Trafficking Laws Explained

In contrast, the federal government enforces strict penalties for illegal gun trafficking across national and state lines. Under federal law, you must be a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to transport firearms across state lines or national borders for the purposes of commerce. Transporting even a single firearm to sell in another state without a license can be illegal. You may face particularly severe penalties for selling high volumes of firearms in interstate or foreign commerce. The most serious consequences are reserved for those who supply firearms to known criminal organizations.

Examples of Recent Firearm Trafficking Offenses in the Fort Myers Area

In December of 2025, federal and state law enforcement agencies announced that they had dismantled various gun trafficking operations. On December 10th, the Department of Justice for the Middle District of Florida announced that they had arrested several people in connection with a gun trafficking operation between Florida and Canada. Over the course of a year, these individuals had allegedly trafficked more than 100 firearms from Florida to Canada. 29 of these firearms were later recovered by Canadian authorities at crime scenes.

The next day, the Middle District of Florida announced a second arrest for a different gun trafficking operation. This operation seems to have involved straw purchases in Florida before high-volume transport of firearms to nations like Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The defendant pleaded guilty in this case and received a sentence of 10 years behind bars.

Can a Gun Trafficking Defense Attorney in Fort Myers Help Me?

Recent cases show that gun trafficking charges in Fort Myers can lead to over a decade in prison. You will also likely face federal charges for this offense since trafficking typically occurs across state borders. As a result, it makes sense to approach these charges in an efficient, organized manner. You can do so with help from an experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact the Fort Myers criminal lawyers at The Foley & Wilson Law Firm for more information

Sources: 

justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/international-gun-trafficking-conspiracy-dismantled

ussc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/training/primers/2021_Primer_Firearms.pdf

justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/two-men-arrested-international-firearms-trafficking-conspiracy