Gun in a Federal Building or School Zone Sentence Calculator

Starting level and typical ranges

These ranges use the starting level alone, before any of the facts listed below, for someone with no criminal record unless the column says otherwise. Most real cases add levels.

Starting point	Level	Trial	Guilty plea	Plea + zero-point	Category IV, plea
Weapon in a federal facility or school zone, the starting point	6	0–6 months	0–6 months	n/a	2–8 months

The 2-level zero-point reduction is generally not available for this kind of offense, because it usually involves violence, a credible threat or a weapon (§4C1.1(a)(3), (a)(7)).

What changes the sentence

Each of these facts moves the offense level under §2K2.5. Adjustments that apply to every offense, such as role in the offense, obstruction, a guilty plea and criminal history, come after these.

Fact	Effect	Rule
Where was the weapon: A federal court facility, with any gun or dangerous weapon	+2	§2K2.5(b)(1)
Where was the weapon: A school zone, with a gun	+2	§2K2.5(b)(1)

Important details

If the person used or possessed the weapon in connection with committing or attempting another crime, or possessed or transferred it knowing or intending it would be so used, the attempt guideline (§2X1.1) is applied to that other crime instead when it gives a higher level. In those same situations, if someone died, the most similar homicide guideline applies when it is higher (§2K2.5(c)(1)).
A prison sentence for a school zone gun conviction (18 U.S.C. §922(q)) must run consecutively to any other sentence (§2K2.5, note 3).
The 3-level reduction for an attempt or conspiracy does not apply to an offense under 18 U.S.C. §930(c) that involved or was meant to promote a federal crime of terrorism (§2X1.1(d)(1)(A)).
The calculator does not apply mandatory minimum sentences set by statute for this offense. If the statute of conviction requires one and it is higher than the range shown, the minimum controls; check the statute or ask a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the base offense level for having a gun in a federal building or school zone?

The guideline for having a gun in a federal building or school zone is §2K2.5 of the federal Sentencing Guidelines. Its starting level is 6, before any adjustments.

What is the guideline range for having a gun in a federal building or school zone with no criminal history points and a guilty plea?

Using the starting level alone, a person with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 0–6 months. The facts listed under “What changes the sentence” can add levels, and the judge can sentence outside the range.

Is probation possible for having a gun in a federal building or school zone?

The guidelines allow it at the starting level: with a guilty plea the range begins at 0 months (Zone A), so prison is not required, unless the offense is a Class A or B felony or the statute rules probation out (§5B1.1(b)). Added facts can raise the range out of Zone A.

Is the calculator accurate for having a gun in a federal building or school zone?

It follows §2K2.5 of the Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025. It passed 6 review rounds, each comparing every number, rule and label with the manual text, and its last round found nothing to correct. Those reviews were done with AI tools, not by lawyers, and it has not yet been reviewed by an attorney, so mistakes are possible. The guidelines are advisory, and a lawyer who knows the case can tell you what actually applies.