Federal gun laws you should be familiar with

 Posted on January 29, 2018 in Criminal Defense

Under the Second Amendment, the United States Constitution states that American men and women have the right to bear arms. More specifically, the constitution states that "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." The Second Amendment cites the need for a militia in order to secure the freedom of the state as the reason for this amendment.

By virtue of the second amendment, gun owners in Wisconsin and other states cannot have their firearms forcibly taken away from them in most cases. Furthermore, gun owners will often cite their Second Amendment rights when they speak up about gun restrictions, which many gun owners feel are unfair and unlawful. That said, the Second Amendment does not prevent Americans from getting into trouble with gun laws. For example, gun collectors, gun dealers and gun owners all need to adhere to federal and estate laws when possessing and handling their weapons.

With specific regard to federal gun laws, let's take a look at the most relevant restrictions against owning or possessing a gun under federal laws:

• If you have a criminal conviction that involved being in prison for at least a year.
• If you're running from the law.
• If you have a controlled substance addiction.
• If you have a mental disorder.
• If you're living in a mental health facility.
• If you're an illegal alien and you live unlawfully in the United States.
• If you were dishonorably discharged from the U.S. military.
• If you gave up your U.S. citizenship.
• If you are subjected to a court-ordered restraining order involving an intimate partner or close family member.
• If you were convicted of domestic violence.

If you aren't clear about your federal gun ownership rights, it's important to understand them -- as well as different laws that could come into play should you wish to own a firearm.

Source: FindLaw, "Gun Laws," accessed Jan. 26, 2018