CA felons and firearms

[Guy B. Meredith]

I haven't had much contact with things legal since my days as a clerk in the Orange County Probation Department (CA) about 30 years ago, so need information.

What are the laws regarding ownership of firearms by felons? More than one class of felon with different rules? Restrictions apply only within a specific time period or condition?

 

[fjolnirsson]

Howdy!
As I understand it, Felony conviction ends your rights in CA forever. No guns, ever.
Of course, there is that liitle thing where you have your record expunged, but I believe that only works for rich cronies of politicians.

 

[Gary H]

Hey Guy:

I have a friend, fellow Californian, that was a multiple felon, but all were non-violent and years ago. He could not own a gun. He wanted to go into law enforcement. He went through a lot of work and finally had a judge expunge his record. He now has what he wants. So, he had years old felonies and was denied the right to a gun, but was allowed to clear his record. Post above was being made while I was typing. Friend is not rich, but it did take some money and a lot of research and leg work. Lots of lost records, misinformation and the like.

 

[fjolnirsson]

I stand corrected, then. It isn't only for cronies. Nor only for rich people.

 

[Gary H]

fjolnirsson:

Most folks would not have done this on their own. I suspect that hiring a lawyer to file all of the papers would have cost a good bit, so like most legal things, it does take some money. Also, I was told that the felonies would probably stay on his record should they have been violent crimes. All of this, of course, is second hand.

 

[hansolo]

Felon? No guns for you!

........makes one think twice about whacking someone.

 

[Desertdog]

To me this is a stupid law and protects no one.
No gun for a violent felon I will agree, with a review after a number of years, as some people do change their ways.
None violent felons should be able to arm themselves as they can use self protection just as the law abiding citizens ie: equal protection under the law.
The BG will find a firearm.

 

[Gray Peterson]

The federal law on firearm possession (prohibited possessors) state that felons are ineligible to possess firearms, unless such crimes are white collar (like securities fraud, not general fraud).

 

[manwithoutahome]

I don't agree with the "felon" law. Look at the guy that was CEO for S&W. Sure, he was (WAS) a felon but he turned his life around and became someone who pulled himself up by his bootstraps. Now, I know the anti's are going crazy (crazier?) over the fact that he is a felon in charge of a gun factory but I think that it helps to show that people do change their lives after "sowing the oats" as a young adult/teenager.

I think that most felon's stay that way because of the way they are treated after they pay their debt. Jobs are harder to get, once people find out (through the information act) that you went to jail for doing something stupid they tend to treat you different, you lose most of your Rights, so what do you have to look forward too? Not much so they just say Screw It and continue their old lifestyle.

Everyone screws up once in awhile. Some are never caught, some are. For those who paid their debt and the state/feds say that they are okay to get out of jail should have their full Rights restored, not just some, ALL. I would agree with a period of time, lets say five years, of "probation". If any felonies (not misdeamors) are NOT committed then they get full Rights. And the way things are going, more and more misdeamors are becoming restrictive to firearm ownership. If some of the new "sentences" were in effect back when I was a young adult, I would now be restricted. I got a $1000 fine and a 6 month suspension of my drivers license when I was 22. I just bought a firebird with a 305 engine and drove it the required 1000 miles at normal speeds. I then decided to "see what this baby will do" and round her out on a straight, lightly used road in NM.

Was clocked at 150mph in a 55mph zone D) and was charged with "endangerment" and "reckless driving". In court the judge asked "why the hell did you do that" and I said, "Sir, was just "testing her out" to see what she could do. I'm sorry and it was just one of those stupid things that a 22 year old would do". He agreed, ordered the fine (which was fine with me, I was looking at around $10,000 for the charges in fines) and told me that since my father wasn't there to "whoop me" that he would impose the suspension.

Have you ever been with a brand new car and couldn't drive it... that hurt but I learned my lesson. Now days, I could have been barred from my Rights for that.

M

 

[jato]

California PC§ 12021. Possession of Firearm by a Felon
(a) (1) Any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of the United States, of the State of California, or any other state, government, or country, or of an offense enumerated in subdivision (a), (b), or (d) of Section 12001.6, or who is addicted to the use of any narcotic drug, who owns or has in his or her possession or under his or her custody or control any firearm is guilty of a felony.

 

[manwithoutahome]

Jato,

According to that statue, if a government or country other then the US makes a charge against a US Citizen, then he or she is barred from firearms forever!

Makes one think huh, with the so called international court and all. What is Cali. going to do when they (another country/government) says that all military personnel are "guilty" of some "felony"?

You get stationed at Travis and you can't own guns? All SP's have to guard the gate with rubber bands? No guns on base and no planes can be loaded with anything inside the state?

:bs:

M

 

[Michigander]

Denying someone their right to self-defense is cruel and should be unusual. If someone has paid their debt, then THEY HAVE PAID THEIR DEPT! If they haven't, then keep them locked up!

 

[whm1974]

or who is addicted to the use of any narcotic drug

How do they determen if someone is addicted to a narcotic drug? What happends if
someone had has treatment for drug addiction?

Bill Meadows