A “felony gun charge” can refer to a federal prohibited-person case under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), a state felon-in-possession offense, an unlawful firearm transaction, a weapons offense charged as a felony, or a firearm enhancement attached to another crime. The exact statute controls the elements and sentencing exposure.
What does “felony gun charge” mean?
The phrase is a search term, not one universal offense. Federal cases commonly involve § 922(g), while state criminal codes use their own possession, carrying, trafficking, stolen-firearm, prohibited-weapon, and use-of-firearm statutes. Start by identifying the jurisdiction, statute number, count language, and alleged status or conduct.
Federal felony gun laws
The federal Gun Control Act includes prohibited-person categories in § 922(g), transaction offenses elsewhere in § 922, penalties in § 924, and definitions in § 921. A standard knowing § 922(g) violation can carry up to 15 years under § 924(a)(8), while ACCA can create a 15-year mandatory minimum when § 924(e) applies.
State felony gun charges
Every state has its own criminal code. Some states broadly prohibit firearm possession after any felony; others focus on violent, weapons, drug, or other listed offenses; and restoration rules vary dramatically. Use the Gun Felony state directory to compare the state rule with the federal overlay.
Why the prior record matters
The prior conviction may determine whether a person is prohibited, whether a guideline base offense level increases, whether ACCA is alleged, and whether state restoration has legal effect. Court records—not labels used in everyday conversation—should drive the analysis.
Use the 50-state directory
Firearm eligibility is unusually dependent on jurisdiction. Review the individual page for every state and the District of Columbia for restoration rules, carry and acquisition policy comparisons, official code links, and state-specific keyword FAQs.
Read the major court cases
Current firearm law is changing through litigation. The 25-case library covers Bruen, Rahimi, Hemani, Wolford, recent § 922(g)(1) circuit cases, ACCA sentencing, purchaser licensing, sensitive places, magazine limits, ghost guns, age limits, and other decisions affecting the answer.