Prohibited person
Prohibited person: A person who may not possess firearms or ammunition under federal or state law. Federal law lists nine categories in 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), such as people convicted of crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, fugitives, unlawful drug users and people subject to certain domestic-violence restraining orders.
What prohibited person means
Put simply, prohibited person is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.
Where prohibited person comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Prohibited persons guide, 18 U.S.C. § 922.
How to research the term
First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses prohibited person in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Pro se: representing oneself in court without a lawyer. Also called self-represented or, in some courts, in pro per.
- Probable cause: a reasonable basis, based on facts and circumstances, to believe that a crime was committed or that evidence will be found in a particular place. The Fourth Amendment requires probable cause for warrants.
- Probation: a criminal sentence in which a person stays in the community under supervision instead of going to jail or prison, subject to conditions set by the court.
- Proceeds: money or property received from a sale or other disposition.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.