Wyoming Felon in Possession Laws Highlight Federal-State Discrepancies and Broad Interpretations
Wyoming's legal landscape regarding felon in possession of firearms and ammunition is complex, primarily due to the interplay between state and federal laws. Federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), broadly prohibits any person convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison from possessing firearms or ammunition, regardless of whether the crime was violent or how much time was actually served. This federal statute is far-reaching, encompassing many non-violent offenses. In contrast, Wyoming state law (Wyo. Stat. § 6-8-102) is narrower, prohibiting firearm possession only for those convicted of violent felonies or felonies involving controlled substances. This discrepancy means an individual might be compliant with state law but still face federal charges. The definition of 'possession' under federal law is also broad, including actual, constructive, and joint possession, meaning one doesn't need to be physically holding a firearm to be charged. Even possessing a single round of amm...
