Stealing guns is illegal and subject to severe penalties under both state and federal law in the United States. Firearms are treated with higher priority than most personal property, and their theft often triggers automatic felony charges. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Federal Law and Penalties

Under federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. § 922 and § 924, stealing a firearm or possessing a stolen one is a serious crime: [1, 2]

• Theft and Possession: Stealing any firearm that has ever moved in interstate or foreign commerce is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison.
• Theft from Dealers: Stealing a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) (e.g., a gun store or manufacturer) also carries a sentence of up to 10 years.
• Related Offenses: It is also illegal to knowingly receive, conceal, store, or sell a stolen firearm or ammunition. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

State Law Examples

While specific penalties vary by state, many jurisdictions classify the theft of a gun as a felony regardless of the weapon’s monetary value: [1, 2, 3]

• California: Stealing a firearm is typically charged as Grand Theft Firearm (GTF). This is an automatic felony that can result in 16 months to 3 years in state prison and may count as a “strike” under the state’s Three Strikes Law.
• Colorado: Recent legislation (passed February 2025) aims to make stealing any firearm a class 6 felony, punishable by 10 to 18 months in prison, even if the gun is worth less than $2,000.
• Washington: New laws effective in May 2024 require gun owners to report a theft within 24 hours or face fines up to $1,000, a measure designed to help law enforcement track illegal trafficking. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Impact and Enforcement

• Public Safety: Stolen guns are a primary source of firearms used in violent crimes, including homicides and robberies, because they are difficult for law enforcement to track.
• Multiplied Sentences: In some cases, penalties can be multiplied by the number of guns stolen. For example, stealing two guns could lead to two separate sentences.
• Interstate Trafficking: Federal authorities often take jurisdiction over gun thefts because most firearms are manufactured in one state and sold in another, meeting the “interstate commerce” requirement. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]