As far as a felon getting a gun, you really wouldn't have to get one "illegally" or on the black market. All it really means is you can't go into a gun shop and buy a new one because there would be a background check. That does not stop you from buying one from a private party that has not idea what you have done in the past. And here in MI you could buy an inline muzzle loader as well, they don't do background checks on those. Unless it will shoot smokeless powder.

I understand that you would be buying it illegally because you are not allowed to own a gun, but it is not like you are buying a stolen gun from some shady guy in a back alley or something.

And if we are talking about hardened criminals they surely didn't go to Bob's gun store and purchase their weapons legally so it could be registered and everything. They most likely stole it before they robbed the convenience store. If you are going to rob someone with a gun I doubt you are too concerned how you went about getting it, or if you were allowed to have one.

Paul