Can a felon be around someone with a legal gun?
Asked by: Dr. Anya Kreiger DDS | Last update: November 25, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (44 votes)
A convicted felon can associate and be in the presence of someone who owns a firearm, but they cannot knowingly be in the presence of it. The only exception is if the convicted felon is somehow the victim of someone with a firearm. There is no crime for being a victim.
Can a felon be around someone who owns a gun?
Felons and Firearms
Felons are allowed to associate with or be around someone who owns a gun, but these laws can get tricky. A convicted felon may be found guilty of “constructive possession” of a firearm if they knew that a firearm was in a home or residence and they could maintain control of the gun.
Does the 2nd Amendment protect felons?
The Second Amendment Permits The Disarming of “Dangerous” Felons. Each year, more than 8,000 people are convicted for unlawful possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). About 90% of those cases arose from gun possession by a felon.
Can I own a gun if my spouse is a felon Indiana?
Gun laws in Indiana do not expressly prohibit the spouse of a felon from owning a firearm.
Can you anonymously report a felon with a gun?
You'll be able to share important information directly with ATF in a way that's simple and anonymous. You can even upload pictures. In the app, just choose "ATF - Anonymous Tip Line" and your tip will be confidentially sent directly to the ATF Field Division closest to you.
Can a FELON live in same house as a FIREARM?
Why would the ATF come to your home?
The ATF often comes into contact with law-abiding gun owners, and many gun owners find them at their doorstep. Whether it is part of a lost or stolen gun investigation, a private sale of a firearm gone wrong, or suspicious activity—no one wants the ATF to visit them at their home.
What self-defense weapons can a felon own?
They are prohibited from owning, purchasing, receiving, or controlling firearms. Also, people with outstanding felony warrants are forbidden from owning or possessing a gun. It is legal to purchase, possess, or carry a stun gun or taser for lawful self-defense as defined under Penal Code 22610 PC.
Can I have guns if my wife is a felon?
People whose partners are convicted felons can legally purchase and own a firearm. You cannot and should not be punished for your spouse's mistakes. Even if you were married to your spouse at the time they committed the crime that led to their conviction, you are still legally allowed to own a gun.
What happens if you marry a felon?
The convicted felon can use his or her own conviction and imprisonment to obtain a divorce. Another implication of marriage to a felon is the extent to which the fact of the conviction can become an issue in child custody proceedings.
In what states can felons own guns?
- Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota automatically restore firearms rights to convicted felons - including those who committed violent crimes - but make them wait five to 15 years after they complete state supervision, the center and ATF found.
What freedoms do you lose as a felon?
- What is the New Law for Felons in California?
- Loss of Voting Rights During Incarceration or On Parole.
- Lifetime Ban on Owning, Possessing, or Purchasing Firearms in California.
- Lifetime Ban on Serving on Juries After a Felony Conviction.
- Can Convicted Felons Hold Public Office in California?
What guns are not protected by the 2nd Amendment?
That right, however, is limited to those “in common use at the time for lawful purposes like self-defense.” Id. at 624-25, 627. Indeed, this limitation is “fairly supported by the historical tradition of prohibiting the carrying of dangerous and unusual weapons,” such as short-barreled shotguns and machine guns.
Do felons lose their 4th Amendment?
People convicted of crimes have choices. Either agree to the conditions of probation/parole or do the full nickel. If they complete their full sentence, then they come out with no conditions and their 4th Amendment rights intact.
Can a felon get a passport?
Yes, a convicted felon can usually get a passport, but it depends on the felony and other factors: Felony typeSome felonies can automatically disqualify you from getting a passport, including: International drug trafficking Trafficking minors "Sex tourism" offenses Treason.
Can gun charges be dropped?
Yes, new evidence can lead to the dismissal of federal gun charges if it significantly undermines the prosecution's case. This could include evidence that proves an alibi, demonstrates that the firearm does not belong to the defendant, or reveals misconduct in the gathering of evidence.
Can a felon live in the same house with someone who owns a gun in PA?
In Pennsylvania, inclusive of Bucks County and all counties, a convicted felon cannot own, be in the same place with, or use a firearm, even if the firearm is legal or legally owned by another individual in the household. There is no exception to the rule.
Can felons be around guns?
Under federal law, felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Some states return a felon's civil rights to own a gun after serving their sentence or a waiting period. If you live with a felon, you have to make sure gun access is limited so they don't have constructive possession.
What are the cons of being a felon?
- You can't travel, but you also can't find a home. ...
- You can't vote. ...
- You can't serve on a jury. ...
- You can't get public benefits. ...
- You can't get a job.
Can I lose my kids for dating a felon?
Dating someone with a felony conviction doesn't automatically mean you will lose custody, but it can complicate the case. The judge will need to carefully weigh the potential consequences of this relationship on the child's well-being.
Can a felon ride in the vehicle with someone who has a gun in Florida?
As long as you don't have access or control of the firearm, it's fine as long as they are legal to carry. My cousin has a couple of felony convictions and rides in my vehicle once in a while.
Does Texas restore gun rights to felons?
According to Texas law, while felons cannot carry guns or ammunition outside their own properties, they can legally be in possession of a gun again once five years have passed from the completion of their sentence; five years after the end of jail time, probation, or any other requirements of that conviction.
What weapons can a felon own in Pennsylvania?
Pa law states that a felon cannot legally purchase or own a firearm. Furthermore, the waiting period for a convicted felon to potentially regain their gun rights is ten years from the date of conviction or release from incarceration. So basically, you need to wait a decade and then revisit this.
Can a felon own a gun anywhere in the United States?
Anyone who has been convicted of a felony is banned by federal law from ever possessing "any firearm or ammunition." Specifically a person "convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year" cannot possess any firearm in any location. 18 U.S.C.
Can a felon have a rubber bullet gun?
Yes, it is possible for a convicted felon to own a gun that shoots rubber bullets. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has stated that a felon who has completed their sentence and has not been convicted of a felony since then is allowed to own a gun.
What does "zip gun" mean?
Improvised firearms (sometimes called zip guns, pipe guns, or slam guns) are firearms manufactured by an entity other than a registered firearms manufacturer or a gunsmith. Improvised firearms are typically constructed by adapting existing materials to the purpose.