18 U.S.C. § 924 contains penalties for many federal firearm violations. For a knowing violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), § 924(a)(8) provides a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
§ 922(g) statutory maximum
The current statutory maximum for a knowing § 922(g) violation is 15 years. The maximum does not mean every defendant receives 15 years; the actual sentence depends on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines, statutory factors, criminal history, offense conduct, plea or trial posture, and judicial findings permitted by law.
Armed Career Criminal Act
18 U.S.C. § 924(e), commonly called ACCA, can impose a 15-year mandatory minimum on a qualifying § 922(g) defendant with the required prior convictions. Whether a prior offense qualifies can involve complex categorical-approach and Supreme Court precedent.
Other firearm penalties
Section 924 also contains separate penalty structures for firearms used or carried during crimes of violence or drug trafficking crimes, firearm trafficking-related conduct, and other offenses. Those provisions should not be confused with a stand-alone § 922(g) possession case.