Federal firearm sentencing is not determined by the statute alone. Courts usually begin with the statutory maximum or minimum, calculate the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, then apply the sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
Standard § 922(g) case
A knowing § 922(g) violation carries a statutory maximum of 15 years under § 924(a)(8). The advisory guideline calculation commonly begins with U.S.S.G. §2K2.1.
What can change the guideline range?
Depending on the case, §2K2.1 can be affected by prior qualifying convictions, the type and number of firearms, stolen or unlawfully marked weapons, machinegun conversion devices, trafficking conduct, possession in connection with another felony, and other specific offense characteristics. Criminal-history points also affect the guideline range.
2025 firearm-guideline change
Amendment 834, effective November 1, 2025, added tiered enhancements for machinegun conversion devices under §2K2.1. The Commission described a two-level enhancement for specified MCD conduct and a four-level enhancement at the higher threshold described in the amendment.
2026 amendments: check the effective date
The Sentencing Commission submitted additional amendments to Congress in 2026 with a stated effective date of November 1, 2026 absent congressional action. As of this page’s August 28, 2026 review date, those amendments are adopted but not yet effective. Sentencing research should always use the manual and amendments applicable to the offense and sentencing date, subject to ex post facto principles.
ACCA can radically change exposure
If 18 U.S.C. § 924(e) applies, the case can carry a 15-year mandatory minimum. ACCA qualification is one of the most consequential and litigated parts of federal firearm sentencing.