Federal gun laws and illegal anabolic steroids, a sword of Damocles?

[Cataceous]

If you follow the news much then you may know that Hunter Biden was bitten by a federal gun law—where it's illegal to possess a gun if you use drugs illegally. Apparently the law is now being challenged in court by someone who used marijuana. I was curious and wanted to know if this applies to the average guy buying steroids without a prescription. Per Grok:

The federal law prohibiting unlawful drug users from owning or possessing firearms is codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which is part of the Gun Control Act of 1968. This provision makes it unlawful for any person "who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802))" to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. ​

Are users of non-prescribed steroids "unlawful user"s? Yes:

The statute itself does not define "unlawful user" or "addicted," but ATF regulations at 27 CFR § 478.11 provide clarification: It means a person who uses a controlled substance and has lost the power of self-control with reference to its use, or any person who is a current user of a controlled substance in a manner other than as prescribed by a licensed physician. ​

Typical federal steroid-related offenses, e.g. possession, may carry penalties of up to a year in prison and $1,000 fines. This is already draconian, but it pales in comparison to what could happen if you also own a firearm. Then you're looking at up to 10 years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000. The problem with laws that are rarely enforced is that they enable selective enforcement. With respect to steroids, the ideal solution is to have them revert to being prescription drugs and not controlled substances. I don't see this happening very soon.

Interestingly, it appears this law could even be triggered by something as innocent as a friend giving you a few of his prescription Ambien tablets.

 

[Vince]

innocent as a friend giving you a few of his prescription Ambien tablets.

Don't do it, this is wrong and is illegal for both the friend and you to do, as it violates state and federal laws against sharing prescription medication. It is also dangerous due to the risk of overdose, addiction, and impaired function.

 

[Cataceous]

Don't do it, this is wrong and is illegal for both the friend and you to do, as it violates state and federal laws against sharing prescription medication. It is also dangerous due to the risk of overdose, addiction, and impaired function.

Easy for you to say Mr. AI, but most law-abiding gun owners aren't going to suspect that accepting a sleep aid could in theory result in 10 years in prison.

 

[Vince]

Easy for you to say Mr. AI, but most law-abiding gun owners aren't going to suspect that accepting a sleep aid could in theory result in 10 years in prison.

I never give out any of my prescription drugs to anyone. Too many things could happen. I'm not going to be responsible. I'm shocked you would.

It's funny how you jump to one thing to another. Trying to make a point.

 

[BadassBlues]

Laws and the enforcement of said laws is a matter of interpretation, politics and the inherent faulty nature of the human race. It's also highly subjective to location. If there is a motivation to try and make something from nothing by some prosecutor or judge, it will happen regardless of what is truly right or wrong.

I am a gun owner, fortunately I live in a state that is sympathetic to gun ownership. I have a concealed carry as I travel to some sketchy and remote places for work. I do buy the occasional UGL products... Not steroids per se, but not "mainstream" either. I suppose if I were in California I should worry.

I also get my Xanax from my brother-in-law, so sorry Vince I admire your prescription ethics, but I disagree with your position. To randomly dole out your scripts to anyone is wrong and should not be done. But sharing something I can get that a close friend can't, and visa versa is just fine by me.

I think we need to strap the gloves on you two and let you work things out..

 

[Vince]

Laws and the enforcement of said laws is a matter of interpretation, politics and the inherent faulty nature of the human race. It's also highly subjective to location. If there is a motivation to try and make something from nothing by some prosecutor or judge, it will happen regardless of what is truly right or wrong.

I am a gun owner, fortunately I live in a state that is sympathetic to gun ownership. I have a concealed carry as I travel to some sketchy and remote places for work. I do buy the occasional UGL products... Not steroids per se, but not "mainstream" either. I suppose if I were in California I should worry.

I also get my Xanax from my brother-in-law, so sorry Vince I admire your prescription ethics, but I disagree with your position. To randomly dole out your scripts to anyone is wrong and should not be done. But sharing something I can get that a close friend can't, and visa versa is just fine by me.

I think we need to strap the gloves on you two and let you work things out..

Yes, I agree, cat and me need to duke it out.

I won't even give out my my Cialis/Viagra I'm afraid someone will have a 4-hour hard on.

I'm sorry that you get anxiety. I wonder why so many people do?

 

[Phil Goodman]

Easy for you to say Mr. AI, but most law-abiding gun owners aren't going to suspect that accepting a sleep aid could in theory result in 10 years in prison.

A lot of things could happen in theory within our legal system. You are correct that a lot of times things are selectively enforced, but that doesn’t mean they’re randomly enforced. In the case of Hunter Biden, he has done TONS of things that many would consider immoral and gotten away with lots of things that probably should’ve gotten him locked up, but due to his connections and skating around in gray areas from a legal perspective he has gotten away with everything. In cases like that prosecutors will often try to find the few things the person of interest slipped up on and threaten maximum enforcement to improve leverage during plea deals.

So yeah, it is draconian to think that someone with weed and a pistol could get that much time if they haven’t hurt anyone, but it’s also true that those penalties are hardly ever handed down. And when they are there are often lots of other circumstances in the case that make it a lot more murky than just “10 years of prison for having some weed and a gun”. That being said, it is technically a risk that anyone choosing to do those things is taking so they should be smart about it. Everything is a risk/reward analysis, and this is no different.

 

[BadassBlues]

Yes, I agree, cat and me need to duke it out.

I won't even give out my my Cialis/Viagra I'm afraid someone will have a 4-hour hard on.

I'm sorry that you get anxiety. I wonder why so many people do?

I’ve had it my whole life Vincey, it’s a gift from Mom and Dad. I only use Xanax for sleep on occasions when it’s bad.

 

[BadassBlues]

A lot of things could happen in theory within our legal system. You are correct that a lot of times things are selectively enforced, but that doesn’t mean they’re randomly enforced. In the case of Hunter Biden, he has done TONS of things that many would consider immoral and gotten away with lots of things that probably should’ve gotten him locked up, but due to his connections and skating around in gray areas from a legal perspective he has gotten away with everything. In cases like that prosecutors will often try to find the few things the person of interest slipped up on and threaten maximum enforcement to improve leverage during plea deals.

So yeah, it is draconian to think that someone with weed and a pistol could get that much time if they haven’t hurt anyone, but it’s also true that those penalties are hardly ever handed down. And when they are there are often lots of other circumstances in the case that make it a lot more murky than just “10 years of prison for having some weed and a gun”. That being said, it is technically a risk that anyone choosing to do those things is taking so they should be smart about it. Everything is a risk/reward analysis, and this is no different.

Geographical location of the “incident” is a key element. Some states have very lax drug laws and very stiff firearms laws. You could see some wonky justice being meted out.

 

[Cataceous]

I never give out any of my prescription drugs to anyone. Too many things could happen. I'm not going to be responsible. I'm shocked you would.

Where did I say I would? But spare me the pious crap about violating laws and taking risks when you're telling others to follow your lead and self-prescribe from ReliableRx. Should we call you Dr. AI instead?

...
It's funny how you jump to one thing to another. Trying to make a point.

Says the guy going off on some tangent in response to a simple hypothetical example showing how easy it is to be snared by the law.

 

[Cataceous]

A lot of things could happen in theory within our legal system. You are correct that a lot of times things are selectively enforced, but that doesn’t mean they’re randomly enforced. In the case of Hunter Biden, he has done TONS of things that many would consider immoral and gotten away with lots of things that probably should’ve gotten him locked up, but due to his connections and skating around in gray areas from a legal perspective he has gotten away with everything. In cases like that prosecutors will often try to find the few things the person of interest slipped up on and threaten maximum enforcement to improve leverage during plea deals.
...

Don't misconstrue the original post as any kind of defense of this crackhead. Rather, it's a caution to those who don't have a daddy who can pardon them.