Looking at something else, I came across a tidbit related to the situation at hand over at RMGO:

18 U.S.C. sec. 922 (g):
(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of any firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or
having reasonable cause to believe that such person -
(1) is under indictment for, or has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year;
Since the original post stated the man had been in jail for 2 years, he would have reasonable cause to believe it could be against the law. Have it checked.