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Trafficking Guns and Weapons in Salt Lake City

Trafficking guns and weapons in Utah will likely be charged as a federal offense. Title 18 U.S. Code § 922(d) provides a penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison for anyone convicted of selling, giving, or otherwise distributing any gun or ammunition to any person who:

  • Is convicted of or awaiting trial on any state or federal felony charge
  • Drug user or addict
  • Person who is not a citizen or legal permanent resident, including both illegal aliens and legal aliens without a green card
  • Is a subject of a domestic violence restraining order, or has a prior conviction for domestic assault
  • Is a fugitive from justice
  • Has been dishonorably discharged from the military

Federal law states that the firearm or ammunition must be transported across a state line for the law to apply, however federal courts have held this to apply to essentially any gun or ammunition possessed in the United States. If you sell, give, or otherwise distribute a firearm or ammunition to a prohibited person, you can be convicted of federal weapons trafficking charges, even if the transaction takes place entirely within Utah between two state residents.

You may also face federal firearms trafficking charges in other circumstances, for example a federal firearms license is required for most transactions of firearms or ammunition.

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