During 2012, more than 84,173 cases were reported to the United States Sentencing Commission. Of those, 5,768 resulted in convictions for violations of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), commonly known as Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Among those convicted, 98.2 percent were male. The average age of the defendant at the time the case was sentenced was 33. Nearly 91 percent of those convicted were United States citizens with at least half of them being African American. More than a quarter of those convicted were white, followed not too far behind by Hispanics. The remaining 2.9 percent was comprised of individuals from other races.
Under the federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), anyone with a previous felony conviction is prohibited from either transporting, shipping or receiving either a firearm or ammunition. The guideline judges are intended to follow when sentencing such violations suggests a minimum sentence of 15 years under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e) for any violation of this law.
Of those related convictions from 2012, a number of violations of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) were accompanied by the defendant’s commission of another crime. In those cases, at least 14.2 percent of all defendants were ultimately sentenced in alignment with minimum guidelines associated with the crime of possession of firearm by a felon.
More than 95.6 percent were sentenced to spend time in jail, with the average sentence being 75 months. Among those subject to the Armed Career Criminal Act, however, they faced, on average, 180 months in prison.
If you are a felon who is facing charges for the illegal possession of firearm, whether by itself of in the commission of another crime, an Orlando, Florida, weapons crimes attorney can provide guidance in your legal matter.