Understanding the Threat of 922(g)(1) to Our Second Amendment Rights

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we believe that responsible gun ownership is a cornerstone of American liberty. We train everyday Americans to be safe, well-informed, and prepared. Yet, overreaching legislation and judicial rulings like those surrounding 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)—the federal prohibition against gun ownership for felons—are encroaching on our fundamental rights. While designed with safety in mind, recent interpretations and applications of this statute pose a serious threat to the Second Amendment and to law-abiding citizens across South Carolina and beyond.

What Is 922(g)(1)?

Under Title 18, Section 922(g)(1) of the U.S. Code, anyone convicted of a felony punishable by more than one year in prison is barred from owning or possessing firearms. This rule might sound straightforward, but in practice it’s anything but. Today, more Americans than ever before fall under this umbrella—not because they’ve committed violent crimes—but due to minor, non-violent infractions that are inexplicably categorized as felonies.

Instead of considering the nature of the conviction, 922(g)(1) indiscriminately strips away a person’s right to bear arms—often for life. This flies in the face of our constitutional liberties. A growing number of courts are beginning to recognize the overreach in how this law is applied, but the battle is far from over.

Latest Legal Updates: A Step Forward or Smoke and Mirrors?

The latest developments surrounding 922(g)(1), particularly as reported in the May 19th, 2025 update, show the legal community making small gains in reevaluating the constitutionality of certain firearm prohibitions. Some appellate courts have expressed doubt that blanket bans without context or nuance align with a “historical tradition” of firearm regulation—as required by the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022).

But even these small victories highlight a disturbing reality: our rights are being chipped away bit by bit, and the current system is content with “good enough” rather than defending true constitutional freedom.

The Bruen Decision: A Reset Point for Gun Rights

The Bruen ruling reaffirmed that the government must justify firearm restrictions by showing consistency with the Nation’s historical conventions surrounding the Second Amendment. This has caused some lower courts to question whether 922(g)(1) holds water under increased scrutiny. However, progress is slow, and federal prosecutors continue to argue in favor of upholding the gun bans, regardless of the nature of the conviction involved. According to the legal outlook, a full reversal of 922(g)(1) is unlikely anytime soon.

What This Means for Gun Owners

For anyone serious about preserving their right to self-defense—and that of future generations—we must stay vigilant. Fortress Firearms Training stands for the idea that post-conviction circumstances matter. A non-violent financial fraud charge from decades ago should not become a life sentence of firearm prohibition.

Why 922(g)(1) Misses the Mark

• Lacks Nuance: It paints all felonies with the same broad brush, regardless of whether they pose a threat to public safety.
• Contravenes Bruen: Recent constitutional analysis shows that there is little to no historical precedent for permanent disarmament through blanket bans.
• Disproportionately Affects Minorities and the Poor: Criminal justice disparities mean many gun owners are unfairly targeted or disqualified based on socio-economic status.
• Encourages Government Overreach: Once the precedent of categorical bans is set, it becomes easier to restrict other groups deemed “undesirable” in the eyes of bureaucrats.

Who Is Really Impacted?

The specter of 922(g)(1) doesn’t just affect hardened criminals. It impacts:

• Veterans with past legal troubles who now lead stable, law-abiding lives.
• Small business owners once charged with white-collar infractions.
• Citizens in South Carolina and nationwide facing life without protection due to outdated records.

These people are often barred from defending their homes and families—even if their “crime” occurred decades ago.

Firearms Training Isn’t Just for the Elite—It’s for Everyone

We preach responsibility, preparedness, and discipline. At Fortress Firearms Training, our mission is to serve law-abiding Americans who care deeply about the Constitution and their personal safety. The truth is, gun control laws like 922(g)(1) disproportionately affect the very people who benefit most from firearms training: ordinary citizens looking to protect their homes and loved ones.

Our courses teach firearm safety, legal responsibility, and tactical readiness. But no amount of training can overcome a government that seeks to disarm its people based on administrative labels and outdated legal records.

A Call to Action: Do Not Settle for “Good Enough”

As the blog post from May 19th, 2025, points out: the political strategy is to do “just enough” to maintain the status quo. But Second Amendment supporters must demand more than minimalism. We must push back against lazy legislative shortcuts and judicial compromises that erode constitutional protections. “Good enough” is not justice. It’s survival through attrition, and patriots must never accept it.

The Fight Ahead

As we approach future election seasons and judicial nominations, it is imperative to speak up. Ask your representatives where they stand on 922(g)(1). Support candidates committed to preserving the Second Amendment in its fullest form. And most importantly, continue to train, stay educated, and prepare for whatever lies ahead.

Conclusion: Rights Are Earned—And Must Be Defended

The Second Amendment is not a relic of a bygone era. It’s a living promise to responsible citizens that their liberty will be protected. Laws like 922(g)(1) turn that promise into hollow words, casting too wide a net in pursuit of control instead of justice. Fortress Firearms Training remains committed to fighting that mission—one student, one class, one educated gun owner at a time.

If you’re ready to take your training—and your rights—seriously, visit us at https://www.fftcwp.org.

Don’t let bureaucracy disarm your freedom. Stand your ground with knowledge, training, and resolve.