“I’m afraid that without legal representation, or if he pleads guilty, he will lose his legal ability to carry a firearm.”
That is a definite yes on losing the carry permit. He was committing a crime, so I don’t see him ever getting the gun back. But that may be the least of his problems. If I were him I would hope for a fine and not much more than that.
That's why I said to get legal representation.
If he takes a rap for this he very well could lose not just the gun but his legal right to carry ANYTHING ANYWHERE.