What Happens If You Give A Gun To A Teenager In Rockland County?

People give each other weapons for various reasons. Sometimes, a legal transfer of a firearm is an important life event – perhaps representing a boy’s ascent to adulthood. Others may wish to give weapons to vulnerable people in an effort to protect them. But regardless of the motives, one must be extremely careful about giving firearms to teenagers in New York. Depending on what the teen does with the firearm, this could lead to serious charges for violent crimes in Rockland County.

Man Gets 25 Years in Prison for Giving Teenager Firearm 

In January of 2025, various resources reported that a man in New York had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for providing a 14-year-old child with a firearm. The man, who resides near Rockland, was found not guilty of second-degree murder – but he was convicted of first-degree manslaughter. The Assistant District Attorney on the case was pushing for 40 years.

The incident stems from an incident at a residence in 2023. During this incident, the defendant’s nephew came over with a friend. The defendant accused the nephew and his friend of stealing from him. The defendant’s stepson was also present, helping the defendant move into his mother’s home.

After a verbal confrontation with the nephew and the other boy, the defendant allegedly went to his vehicle, opened a lockbox, and showed his stepson a firearm. The then reportedly uttered the words “Do what you gotta do,” prompting the stepson to pick up the weapon and fire at the nephew and the other boy.

Although the stepson was aiming at the nephew, the other boy was struck and killed. The defendant then ostensibly tried to hide the weapon, although police found it in the oven along with two IEDs.

This case is notable because the defendant received a longer sentence than the actual murderer, who received 15 years in prison in exchange for his cooperation. This is due to the general perception that the defendant was the “adult in the room” who should have more to de-escalate the situation.

Providing a Weapon to Someone May Trigger Murder Charges 

In New Jersey, providing a weapon to someone who subsequently commits murder is equivalent to murder. The murderer and the “accomplice” may face exactly the same penalties. In fact, as we have seen, the person who provides the weapon sometimes receives even more prison time than the person who actually pulled the trigger.

Can a Rockland County Defense Attorney Help Me With Violent Crime Charges? 

If you have been accused of a violent crime because of what someone else did with your firearm, you should contact an experienced defense attorney in Rockland County immediately. These legal professionals can help you fight for your rights with efficiency and confidence. Consider speaking with Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law – and get started with an action plan today.

Source: 

lohud.com/story/news/local/westchester/mount-vernon/2025/01/16/yonkers-ny-man-phillip-ferrell-sentenced-for-role-in-killing-of-mount-vernon-teen-zyaire-fernandez/77680900007/