Gun rights after you complete your sentence.

[Fl0und3rz]

Just to throw some more fuel on the fire:  Even though pot is legal in WA, you are prohibited possessor as per federal law if you are a regular user or have a med MJ card, and thus, a felon in waiting, if the circumstances should arise. 

To me, it's no big deal, and I don't think these people should be prohibited possessors.  That's just one example of why the felon brand does not mean so much to me, unless the circumstances are violent, repetitive, sexually predatory in nature, or otherwise infamous.

[csaaphill]

ok here is a scenerio that actually happened, short version, my buddy came home to his wife mounted up on some other fella, other fella got beat down marine style, cops came cheating wife told the cops that he held dude at gun point which never happened, they were still locked safely away in his gun safe, he didnt need a gun on this degen, anyways he loses his rights to bare arms  does he deserve them back? damn right he does!!!! he is a more stand up person than 95 % of the people i meet.... i think it should only come down to the actual crime itself, with the way are sorry arse justice system works there are plenty of guy and gals that have their rights lost that never truly deserved to lose them in the first place........

eventually yes by all means sounds like second degree assault and after ten years they can!
his case may be a bit less if it's just simple assault, or you stated his wife lied and said he used a gun then would be first degree assault then no he wouldnt' but he should be able to since his was more a crim of passion over robbing a bank or rape or something!

[returnofsid]

There is no "after 10 years" in Washington.

[jackmaster]

ok here is a scenerio that actually happened, short version, my buddy came home to his wife mounted up on some other fella, other fella got beat down marine style, cops came cheating wife told the cops that he held dude at gun point which never happened, they were still locked safely away in his gun safe, he didnt need a gun on this degen, anyways he loses his rights to bare arms  does he deserve them back? damn right he does!!!! he is a more stand up person than 95 % of the people i meet.... i think it should only come down to the actual crime itself, with the way are sorry arse justice system works there are plenty of guy and gals that have their rights lost that never truly deserved to lose them in the first place........

eventually yes by all means sounds like second degree assault and after ten years they can!
his case may be a bit less if it's just simple assault, or you stated his wife lied and said he used a gun then would be first degree assault then no he wouldnt' but he should be able to since his was more a crim of passion over robbing a bank or rape or something!

it flat doesnt matter, he didnt deserve to lose his rights,period. he lost them because his cheating wife lied, he is an honorable veteran, he tried telling the cops that his wife was lying, its nice to see that most on here beleive you should only lose them do to the severity of the crime, thats my belief as well. a real criminal wouldnt care if he ever got his gun rights back or not. if someone is truly fighting to get there rights restored, which from whatt i have heard and seen it takes alot of time and money, so if i was betting man, i would have to say that their crime was either B.S or not that big of deal in the first place

[jackmaster]

BOWBUILD, is it time for you to clue us all in now as to why your asking this question? we could probaly ALL learn a thing or two from whatever situation you might be going through 

[Knocker of rocks]

Just to throw some more fuel on the fire:  Even though pot is legal in WA, you are prohibited possessor as per federal law if you are a regular user or have a med MJ card, and thus, a felon in waiting, if the circumstances should arise. 

To me, it's no big deal, and I don't think these people should be prohibited possessors.  That's just one example of why the felon brand does not mean so much to me, unless the circumstances are violent, repetitive, sexually predatory in nature, or otherwise infamous.

As are drunks and those prescribed a whole slew of medications under Doctors orders, including sleep aids, anti-depressants and ADHD meds.

e. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?

ATF Form 4473

[Knocker of rocks]

it flat doesnt matter, he didnt deserve to lose his rights,period. he lost them because his cheating wife lied

Good point.  The issue in that case is not an unfair law, it is an unfair prosecution for a crime (felony assault 2 or 3) which did not happen.

[haugenna]

Just curious.....How many here believe that once a convict has served his time, deserves his gun rights restored?? I personally believe that as long as a firearm was NOT used in any way, there is NO reason not to fully have your rights restored.....On the other hand what's the point of "right to bear arms" when it turns out to be a privledge?

Bowbuild

I vote NO as well.  If you are stupid enough to commit a felony once, chances are it will happen again.  Not always but quite possible.  The system is full of reoffenders.  I don't want my rights as a law abiding citizen jeopardized by a felon who has trouble making smart decisions.  The political garbage around guns is so hot right now.  The last thing we need as gun owners is start putting them in the hands of felons.

[returnofsid]

Just curious.....How many here believe that once a convict has served his time, deserves his gun rights restored?? I personally believe that as long as a firearm was NOT used in any way, there is NO reason not to fully have your rights restored.....On the other hand what's the point of "right to bear arms" when it turns out to be a privledge?

Bowbuild

I vote NO as well.  If you are stupid enough to commit a felony once, chances are it will happen again.  Not always but quite possible.  The system is full of reoffenders.  I don't want my rights as a law abiding citizen jeopardized by a felon who has trouble making smart decisions.  The political garbage around guns is so hot right now.  The last thing we need as gun owners is start putting them in the hands of felons.

Maybe you should take the time to read the entire thread before making such a blanket statement...

[pianoman9701]

Just curious.....How many here believe that once a convict has served his time, deserves his gun rights restored?? I personally believe that as long as a firearm was NOT used in any way, there is NO reason not to fully have your rights restored.....On the other hand what's the point of "right to bear arms" when it turns out to be a privledge?

Bowbuild

I vote NO as well.  If you are stupid enough to commit a felony once, chances are it will happen again.  Not always but quite possible.  The system is full of reoffenders.  I don't want my rights as a law abiding citizen jeopardized by a felon who has trouble making smart decisions.  The political garbage around guns is so hot right now.  The last thing we need as gun owners is start putting them in the hands of felons.

Maybe you should take the time to read the entire thread before making such a blanket statement...

It doesn't seem to matter to the OP whether you make a blanket statement or not.

[Mike450r]

Here's a "for instance," to think about...

An 18 year old shoplifts an amount of items equaling $250.00 or more.  In Washington, this can be charged as a felony.  The kid serves his sentence, does his probation, pays his restitution and pays all of his court fees and fines.  This kid will live the rest of his live with a felony on his record, unable to vote (unless he petitions to regain his right to vote) and unable to ever own a weapon.  In fact, 20 years down the road, if he marries someone who owns a weapon, it has the possibility of putting him at odds with the law, even if he never touches that weapon.

I'll admit that I'm in this category, though I wasn't 18.  From the age of 13-30, I was a very avid and responsible, gun owner, hunter and eventually a father.  I taught my children to safely handle guns and hunt  At the age of 30, I made a very stupid decision, a decision that amounted to approximately $275.00.  I was charged with Felony theft.  Because I am a responsible father, when offered a plea deal, I refused, choosing to accept full responsibility for my actions.  In fact, I could have had all of the charges dropped, due to tainted evidence.  I also refused to take this option.  I felt that I needed to set the proper example for my children.  "Getting off on a crime" because of a technicality, wouldn't have set the proper example, in my opinion.  So, I am now a felon.  I'm now 45 and have never re-commited.  However, I'll always be a felon.

In the research I've done, I've found that there are two options for regaining my gun rights.

1. Petition the court to have my gun rights restored.
This option very rarely results in success, from what I've been able to discover.  Very few convicted felons have ever been successful and those that have were previously law enforcement or judges.

2. Petition the court to have my felony expunged.  Once a felon has served out their sentence, and met all financial responsibilities and terms of release, it is possible to have the felony expunged, under certain circumstances. (Non violent, non drug or gun related, etc)  However, this option usually requires an attorney and an average of about $10,000.00.  If successful, this option results in a felon becoming a non-felon, as if it never happened.

So, now I archery hunt.  I will always regret the decision I made, however, I'll always take responsibility for it.

Someone may have responded to this already,  I am referring to you thinking reinstatement of rights rarely happens.  you are very very wrong,  it happens all the time.  It will cost you as an attorney is the best person to file everything and represent you correctly but with non violent felonies they get it done more often than not.

If felony theft is the only thing precluding you from possession I would think you have a 90+ percent chance of getting your rights back.

[returnofsid]

Here's a "for instance," to think about...

An 18 year old shoplifts an amount of items equaling $250.00 or more.  In Washington, this can be charged as a felony.  The kid serves his sentence, does his probation, pays his restitution and pays all of his court fees and fines.  This kid will live the rest of his live with a felony on his record, unable to vote (unless he petitions to regain his right to vote) and unable to ever own a weapon.  In fact, 20 years down the road, if he marries someone who owns a weapon, it has the possibility of putting him at odds with the law, even if he never touches that weapon.

I'll admit that I'm in this category, though I wasn't 18.  From the age of 13-30, I was a very avid and responsible, gun owner, hunter and eventually a father.  I taught my children to safely handle guns and hunt  At the age of 30, I made a very stupid decision, a decision that amounted to approximately $275.00.  I was charged with Felony theft.  Because I am a responsible father, when offered a plea deal, I refused, choosing to accept full responsibility for my actions.  In fact, I could have had all of the charges dropped, due to tainted evidence.  I also refused to take this option.  I felt that I needed to set the proper example for my children.  "Getting off on a crime" because of a technicality, wouldn't have set the proper example, in my opinion.  So, I am now a felon.  I'm now 45 and have never re-commited.  However, I'll always be a felon.

In the research I've done, I've found that there are two options for regaining my gun rights.

1. Petition the court to have my gun rights restored.
This option very rarely results in success, from what I've been able to discover.  Very few convicted felons have ever been successful and those that have were previously law enforcement or judges.

2. Petition the court to have my felony expunged.  Once a felon has served out their sentence, and met all financial responsibilities and terms of release, it is possible to have the felony expunged, under certain circumstances. (Non violent, non drug or gun related, etc)  However, this option usually requires an attorney and an average of about $10,000.00.  If successful, this option results in a felon becoming a non-felon, as if it never happened.

So, now I archery hunt.  I will always regret the decision I made, however, I'll always take responsibility for it.

Someone may have responded to this already,  I am referring to you thinking reinstatement of rights rarely happens.  you are very very wrong,  it happens all the time.  It will cost you as an attorney is the best person to file everything and represent you correctly but with non violent felonies they get it done more often than not.

If felony theft is the only thing precluding you from possession I would think you have a 90+ percent chance of getting your rights back.

Since my original post I've received information verifying that's it's more likely than I'd originally led to believe. Eventually I'll make the attempt!

[Knocker of rocks]

$10,000 seems like a reach at $200/hr-office and $500/hr-court room, especially for such a piddly felony

[bowbuild]

And you missed the whole part about that most of us said this was a case by case situation. You've got a real chip on your shoulder.

The point of the thread was to try to make people think, before they have a knee jerk reaction to hearing felon.......if that's a "chip" on my shoulder I wear it with honor.

Again, this has NOTHING to do with anything I am currently dealing with.....other than the woman I described and her husband. I think this thread has wore itself out, moving on....

Bowbuild

[Dan-o]

I agree it should be a case by case decision.

the example above (shoplifting as an 18 year old) is a good example of someone who doesn't necessarily need to forfeit their rights.

having said that, I no longer have any faith in judges to make sound case by case decisions, so......   IDK.