Restore gun rights for certain felons?

Doc Samson said:

As noted, it is a right. If, according to the law, you have served your sentence and have been deemed "okay" to return to society, then all rights should be restored.

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But loosing those rights is part of the sentence for a felony. So, if you are convicted of a felony, you have not served your sentence.

Having said that, I believe that if a felon has been released from prison there should be a process for the felon to petition to have their rights to be restored.

No one says you cannot change. But you still have to pay the price of the crime. They new damn well they would lose their right to vote before the crime they knew damn well they would lose their gun rights. They made the decision to go forward. Of course the bleeding hearts want to say ok, We were just joking about the voting rights and gun rights. You can have them back.
This really comes down to politics. There is a Party (one side) that wants these votes from felons. Lol, you cannot see what political party wants that felon vote? Come down to Virginia and it is as clear as day. Look at any Photo of the past Virgina Gov. releasing felons and it tells the real story. Go ahead, do a google and see who is surrounded by that Gov. when signing the release of these felons before the election. And please do not tell me they vote Republican. Terry McAuliffe was the Gov. Tied to the hip with Hillary Clinton.

And if anyone thinks just because they did their time, means they will not commit another crime is being unrealistic. How many will go on to commit other crimes once out? And now the bleeding hearts want to arm them legally? Help them to vote for more politicians that will aid them in future crimes. No wonder there is so much crime in America.
People need to be responsible for their actions. Doing the time, is the result of that action and and so is losing your right to vote, serve on a juror, carry a gun. You DON'T like it. DO NOT do the crime.

Jeb Stuart said:

Terry McAuliffe was the Gov.

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There's a name I haven't heard in a while. He was president of the DNC during the 2004 election year. His brother, Joseph McAuliffe, was my history professor at the time. Their father was way up in the NY state party (They're originally from Syracuse.), and he (the father) was a longtime and very close, personal friend of a certain former president. That whole family is steeped in politics.

All that said, Joseph McAuliffe was a pretty good professor. I'd take a class from him again. Come to think of it, I believe this very topic came up in our class at some point.

WASHINGTON – An estimated two-thirds (68 percent) of 405,000 prisoners released in 30 states in 2005 were arrested for a new crime within three years of release from prison, and three-quarters (77 percent) were arrested within five years, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) announced today.Apr 22, 2014
Bureau of Justice Statistics Identity Theft Reported by Households ...

https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/press/rprts05p0510pr.cfm

Buy Hey! they at least got a right to vote before going back. And thanks to the Bleeding hearts, they were able to buy a gun legally. Ya got to love the way the left thinks.

You can say that if we trust you enough to let you out of prison you should have your rights back all you want put that statement ignores the fact that our justice system is broken. Before that can be a valid statement our justice system has to be fixed.

Because right now they release people from prison every single day that you wouldn't want within a mile of you with or without a gun.

Remember felons didn't lose their rights by Fiat they lost their rights because their actions demonstrated did they couldn't be trusted with those rights.

As I said I don't believe restoration rights should be automatic but I am in favor of there being a system in place where a felon can can petition to have his rights restored after proving that he's become a productive member of society.

The first criterion would be that he makes it all the way through his parole period without any violations. Then he can begin the petition process.

However, as I said earlier I am absolutely convinced that the Statists will never allow such a system would be put in place.

BSA1 said:

All of the Founding Fathers were criminals and would have been given capital punishment (hanged) if they had been caught.

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So that means we should let rapists, murderers and armed robbers continue to possess weapons? While I believe there are some felonies that are not severe enough to warrant the loss of one's rights, using an 250 year old rebellion against tyranny as a defense to let all violent criminals have easy access to firearms seems a bit silly.

D.B. Cooper said:

I disagree with this. I don't believe the "debt to society" can ever be fully repaid. There is a breach of trust between the felon and the society. Loss of rights and the negative stigma (employment discrimination, disqualification for certain career fields, etc.) that comes with committing a felony should be considered part of the punishment. If you want to own guns, vote in elections, and hold down a meaningful job, don't commit crimes. The laws of our nation are not so onerous so as to make it difficult to stay out of prison.

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You are de facto for "cruel and unusual punishment" which is prohibited by the Constitution, you wish for them to not work and that would easily make them criminals once again. There is no true society that a debt is owed to. If I went to jail for money laundering and my time is done the debt to the governing body of the state is done. I personally do not owe you anything. Again rights are not privileges you do not get a say in if they're allowed to regain their rights that come with freedom. This is a basis of American standards, you have certain unalienable rights that are yours by virtue of just simply existing, and no other man has the right to infringe on yours and vice versa. For those that disagree answer the questions I posted above. Do you actually support this second amendment or the Constitution in general? If you don't I'd happily advise you that Venezuela is pretty nice this time of year.

buck460XVR said:

So that means we should let rapists, murderers and armed robbers continue to possess weapons? While I believe there are some felonies that are not severe enough to warrant the loss of one's rights, using an 250 year old rebellion against tyranny as a defense to let all violent criminals have easy access to firearms seems a bit silly.

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The whole thread was not about those kinds of people. I believe the thread name was for "certain felons", and most of the people saying "yay" are talking about non violent felons. More than that I find it disconcerting that your argument is about how old the American Revolution is to matter today, sounds an awful like the anti viewpoint of "the second amendment was written at a time"... You can insert the rest.

sherrick13 said:

No. The main reason is they overwhelming vote Democrat. Which is the real reason for the current push.

Also my LEO experience showed me that with very few exceptions, once a felon always a felon.

The pardon process is there for those that deserve it.

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So you say no mainly cause you disagree with them politically? Sounds more like you prefer a different governing system than one put in place by this country through blood, sweat, and more than a few tears. Not all of them or Democrats and even your LEO experience is anecdotal at best to others who could deny it with their own experience.

I know a man (in his 20s) who locked a belligerent drunk chick in a bathroom to keep her from driving . For that he served almost 2 years and is a felon.

Yes, he should be able to have his rights restored.

I think some of you may not understand how broad a brush is used to color "felony" these days.

larryh1108 said:

I see. So, if the choice is to let him out (usually early) and not give his gun rights back to him (after he willingly gave them up) he should just stay in jail because he is not worthy of being on the streets? Ok, I get it. Let's ask him. Stay in jail for the rest of your term (100% time served) and get your rights back (that you voluntarily gave up) or get out 5, 7, 10 years early, be on probation and never get your rights back. Hmmm, let him choose.

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I deliberately left off any commentary on probation, hoping for someone to bring it up.
I can agree that being let out "early" and being placed on "probation" should be considered the continuation of their penance. But, after that time has past, why aren't all their rights not fully restored. Again, if you're never going to "free" a person from their chains, why bother letting them out at all?

for all those commenting on recidivism rates, why are they being let out at all, if you "know" they're just going to do "it" or something like "it" again?

They can already petition to get their rights once time has been served and they have shown they can rejoin society without relapse.
hell my neighbor did just that not even a year ago and has a nice Ruger he carries any time he has to deal with large sums of money do to his gardening business

Yep, another thread about the gun rights of convicted felons.

To those who believe convicted felons should own guns: Go work in a state prison. You will have a rude awakening.

The recidivism rate of convicted felons is very high:

"National Statistics on Recidivism
Bureau of Justice Statistics studies have found high rates of recidivism among released prisoners. Examines the recidivism patterns of former prisoners during a 9-year follow-up period.[3] The researchers found that:

• The 401,288 state prisoners released in 2005 had 1,994,000 arrests during the 9-year period, an average of 5 arrests per released prisoner. Sixty percent of these arrests occurred during years 4 through 9.
• An estimated 68% of released prisoners were arrested within 3 years, 79% within 6 years, and 83% within 9 years.
• Eighty-two percent of prisoners arrested during the 9-year period were arrested within the first 3 years.
• Almost half (47%) of prisoners who did not have an arrest within 3 years of release were arrested during years 4 through 9.
• Forty-four percent of released prisoners were arrested during the first year following release, while 24% were arrested during year-9."

https://www.nij.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism/Pages/welcome.aspx

i will cry no tears for convicted felons. i'm confident the law will not change anytime soon.

How about we send a message to all future criminals. Hey guys, remember that if you commit a crime against our citizens, you rob, you rape, you molest children etc. Well the price you will pay for taking away the rights of others, the impact to their peace of mind, their property and on an on will not only result in a Prison sentence, but you will lose your rights to be part of that society you willfully violated. You will lose your right to vote, be on a jury of your peers, right to own a firearm. Think about all the consequences before you commit that crime.

Liberal Bleeding heart- Hey guys, before you commit that crime against the innocent, hurt them, steal from them. No Problemo, do some time and we will see that you will not really have to worry. We will get you back on the streets, even let you vote, even carry a gun. Rules are way too tough for you guys. So go ahead, commit that crime, but for gosh sake, do not worry about carrying a firearm again. We are here to help. And by the way, vote for the guy that is here to help.

I just wonder how many innocent victims are out there now from released felons? And from one's carrying guns made easy by the bleeding heart. Seems they bleed more for the Criminal than the victims. Of course the new way of the Left, is blame the police, blame society, blame the parents, the teachers etc. But never blame the Criminal. And never have the criminal actually face the punishment that comes with the crime.
The Victims of crime have no meaning to these people. They do not have the right of peace of mind, their loss can sometimes be for life. But to heck with the Victims.

If one cannot trust a former felon with a firearm, why would one trust said felon with a vote?
Isn't voting a privilege granted to natural born or naturalized citizens in good standing?
Florida recently granted former felons, under certain conditions the privilege of voting. After serving the sentence, paying off all fines and reparations to victims felons can register to vote.
I wonder just how many will actually register and vote?

IMHO The felon needs to prove he/she deserves all of their right back. Maybe there needs to be a court created just for this.
I always figured the jail/prison was for punishment and reform not just punishment. Once upon a time the system practiced forgiveness.
Now when one commits a crime it ride on your back most of the rest of your life.

Not all felons should have their rights restored. Not ever. On the other hand those that didn't commit a dangerous act against their fellow man should have a path back after a certain length of time after committing their crime with no relapse. In my state that length of time is ten years and it seems to work well. Some on here paint with too broad a brush.

P5 Guy said:

If one cannot trust a former felon with a firearm, why would one trust said felon with a vote?
Isn't voting a privilege granted to natural born or naturalized citizens in good standing?
Florida recently granted former felons, under certain conditions the privilege of voting. After serving the sentence, paying off all fines and reparations to victims felons can register to vote.
I wonder just how many will actually register and vote?

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Actually the Virginia Gov. made it easy for them. Set up helpers to fill out the paper work and on and on. Committees designed to get that vote. Not only that, but the people that were for the release of prisoners were all on his side to begin with. Ironically the same people that vote against the constitution 2nd amendment gun rights to begin with. How about that for hypocrisy.

Trunk Monkey said:

I don't think restoration should be automatic. I think there should be a process whereby a felon can apply to have their rights restored but I also think that if the felon every commits another offense after having their right restored they should lose them forever.

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Agree with the first part, not so much the second. Would you agree with stripping away their rights forever, if the second felonious conduct was shooting a home invasion perpetrator, and a botched trial?

Doc Samson said:

As noted, it is a right. If, according to the law, you have served your sentence and have been deemed "okay" to return to society, then all rights should be restored.

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I'm as conservative as they come-always have been, and I used to think this way, but prison overcrowding, due to "prison reform," and far-too-liberal parole boards have led me to rethink this.

Once a debt of time is paid then the person is square with society, the law, and the judge. There should be nothing precluding them from the freedoms all members of society enjoy. The difference between a upstanding citizen and a convicted felon in many cases is simply that someone didn’t get caught doing the stupid thing that they did as a teenager or as a 20 something, so why such a big disparity over what is and is not allowed of a person.

That said, I’m all for more harsh sentencing for many crimes, and for many offenses I would not be opposed to lifetime probation be it monitored or not. That gives a layer of punishment that means a person enjoys their freedoms while not being square with the law therefore firearms ban would still be relevant. That’s another discussion entirely though.

Many convicted Felons could have gotten off with a lesser charge if they had better attorneys or could have afforded a better one. If you have been convicted of a low level felony, paid your dues and some years have past, I think you are entitled to a do over and have all your rights restored.
The sentencing guidelines in our justice system is screwed up in many ways and it needs to be addressed.

How many of the "they served their time" believers want convicted pedophiles to be allowed to work in daycares?

Stevie-Ray said:

Would you agree with stripping away their rights forever, if the second felonious conduct was shooting a home invasion perpetrator, and a botched trial?

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Is there some part of "commits another offence" that was unclear?

I was in the electronic security Industry for decades. Been in many homes after a Burglary, home invasion, rape and even murder. Even the most lower level Burglary, the victim has loss of Peace of mind. The most common comment I heard in the many years, was "I feel like I was raped". Now actually talk to rape victims and wow. I have talked and helped many. Sorry their lives will NEVER be the same. Talk to a small business owner that was robbed at gun point, or knife point, No he is never the same. And do not even go there when it comes to child molestation.
The crimminal that enters into a prison can or maybe rehibliated, but it does not mean that they will not have to fulfill the punishment they deserve. Yes, God may forgive them, even the Victim may forgive them. But hey Dude, you still got a price to pay, a price you accepted before the crime.
Can you imagine how the victims feel? Knowing that the creep that hurt them in back on the streets is bad enough, but now can actually get a gun legally?
What rights does a Victim have? How about we talk about them, instead of so much concern about the criminal?

Kind of reminds me of gambling. My Father told me that there is nothing wrong with gambling as long as you can handle the loss. You bet $25.00, you lose but most likely can handle the loss. Bet your house and lose, bad things happen. You will have to pay up, give the devil his dues.
A criminal bets he will not get caught, And now he has to pay up when he does. And Part of that loss is real and for life. No gun, no voting rights, no jury duty etc. That is just the way it is.

Society demands that we are accountable for our actions. You do the crime, you do the time. Pretty simple set of rules.