Are felons allowed to own guns?

Answer 1

The general rule is NO. But here is a more clearer definition of that rule. Some states allow certain felons to own a gun - normally those who are convicted of an offense of less serious nature, such as fraud or theft, after they have finished their sentence and/or probation, whichever is later, automatically.

However, the federal government dictates to whom firearms may be sold - they are not allowed to be sold to anyone convicted of a felony. Their definition of a felony if any crime that is punishable by more than one year in jail. Some felonies that are punishable by more than a year in jail may be punishable by less time than one year under that state's sentencing guidelines, for example, to first offenders. In that particular case, the felon may buy a gun.

In another example, a crime may be punishable by more than one year in jail, but the person may have been sentenced to less than one year in jail. It is unclear whether that person would be allowed to buy a gun.

In yet another example, a crime may be a felony in one state but a misdemeanor in another. It is unclear whether that person, provided he did not commit a felony in the new state, has the right to own or possess a firearm, especially if the offended state didn't actually sentenced the person to more than one year in jail.

But in most states a person convicted of a felony may not own a gun under any circumstances, unless he has been granted the restoration of his civil rights including that to own or possess a firearm.