SAN ANTONIO — Under federal law, convicted felons face a lifetime ban on gun ownership, a restriction that conflicts with some state laws, including those in Texas.
Daniel Mehler, a criminal defense attorney, explained, “At the state level, under state law, you can legally own a firearm again. The problem is, that’s in conflict with federal law which includes a lifetime ban on the possession of firearms.”
In Texas, five years after completing their sentence. However, Mehler noted, “Where that becomes a problem is, even over minor offenses, should they come into contact with law enforcement again, they’re always subject to federal prosecution.”