Under federal law ( 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) ), a "fugitive from justice" is prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms.
: Some states, like California and Virginia , explicitly prohibit anyone with any outstanding felony or "specified misdemeanor" warrant from purchasing a firearm. if i have a warrant can i buy a gun
Buying a gun while having an active warrant is highly risky and often illegal, depending on the type of warrant and your location . While federal law has narrowed its definition of who is prohibited, many state laws remain much stricter, and attempting the purchase can lead to immediate arrest or new criminal charges. Under federal law ( 18 U
: As of 2017, the Department of Justice narrowed this definition to only include individuals who have (1) fled the state where the warrant was issued, (2) did so to avoid prosecution, and (3) are subject to imminent criminal prosecution. Buying a gun while having an active warrant
Many states have stricter rules than the federal government and do not follow the narrowed "fugitive" definition.
: In California, the prohibition applies if you have knowledge of the outstanding warrant.