Section 922(g) Firearms

Population Snapshot

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Of the 66,662 cases reported in fiscal year 2025, 7,245 involved convictions under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).1 Section 922(g) makes it unlawful for prohibited persons to ship, transport, possess, or receive a firearm or ammunition, most commonly because of a prior conviction for a felony offense. Of the 7,245 individuals, 89% were convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) because of a prior felony conviction.

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Individual and Offense Characteristics

 

  • 98% of section 922(g) individuals were men.
     
  • 59% were Black, 20% were White, 18% were Hispanic, and 3% were Other races.
     
  • Their average age was 37 years. 
     
  • 94% were United States citizens.
     
  • 23% were in the highest Criminal History Category (Criminal History Category VI);
    • 10% were CHC I;
    • 14% were CHC II;
    • 23% were CHC III;
    • 15% were CHC IV;
    • 15% were CHC V.
       
  • The top five districts for section 922(g) individuals were:
    • Eastern District of Missouri (336);
    • Northern District of Texas (213);
    • Western District of Texas (197);
    • Western District of Missouri (194);
    • Middle District of Florida (194).
       
  • Districts with the highest proportion of section 922(g) cases were:
    • Middle District of North Carolina (43%);
    • Middle District of Tennessee (41%);
    • Eastern District of Missouri (34%);
    • Western District of North Carolina (34%);
    • Eastern District of Louisiana (33%);
    • Nothern District of Alabama (33%);
    • Northern District of Iowa (33%).

       

 

 

Punishment

  • 98% of section 922(g) individuals were sentenced to prison; sentences varied widely by whether a mandatory minimum penalty applied in the case.
     
  • 17% of section 922(g) individuals were convicted of one or more statutes with a mandatory minimum penalty:
    • 2% were sentenced under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e), the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA);2
    • 6% were convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 924(c);
    • 8% were convicted of another statute carrying a mandatory minimum penalty, most of which were drug offenses.
  • The average sentence for all section 922(g) individuals was 72 months.
    • The average sentence for individuals convicted of violating section 922(g) and sentenced under ACCA was 192 months.
    • The average sentence for individuals convicted of violating section 922(g) but not sentenced under ACCA was 70 months.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

 

 

 

 

  • 60% of sentences for convictions under section 922(g) were under the Guidelines Manual.
    • 50% were within the guideline range.
       
    • 5% were substantial assistance departures.
      • The average sentence reduction was 47%.
    • Less than 1% were Early Disposition Program (EDP) departures.3
      • The average sentence reduction was 42%.
    • 3% were some other downward departure.
      • The average sentence reduction was 35%.
    • 1% were upward departures.
      • The average sentence increase was 56%.
  • 40% of sentences for convictions under section 922(g) were variances.
    • 35% were downward variances.
      • The average sentence reduction was 35%.
    • 6% were upward variances.
      • The average sentence increase was 57%.
  • The average guideline minimum and average sentence imposed have increased over the past five years.
    • The average guideline minimum increased from 68 months in fiscal year 2021 to 81 months in fiscal year 2025.
    • The average sentence imposed increased from 60 months in fiscal year 2021 to 72 months in fiscal year 2025.

 

 

 

1 Cases with incomplete sentencing information were excluded from the analysis.

2 18 U.S.C. § 924(e) requires a 15-year mandatory minimum penalty be imposed on individuals convicted of violating section 922(g) with three previous convictions for a violent felony or serious drug crime.

3 "Early Disposition Program" (or EDP) departures are departures where the government sought a sentence below the guideline range because the defendant participated in the government’s Early Disposition Program, through which cases are resolved in an expedited manner. See USSG §5K3.1.

SOURCE: United States Sentencing Commission, FY 2021 through FY 2025 Datafiles, USSCFY21-USSCFY25.

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