what type of lawyer do i need to restore my gun rights as a felon

by Ned Bogan 10 min read

Any convicted felon looking to restore gun rights should consult with an experienced attorney to ensure that he or she is eligible, that the best evidence can be presented to the circuit court, and that restrictions under federal law are understood.

Full Answer

Can I get my gun rights restored after a felony conviction?

Nov 09, 2018 · In the State of Washington, felony convictions and some misdemeanors can result in the loss of your right to possess, carry, or control a firearm. But with an experienced gun rights lawyer, you can restore your rights. Thankfully, at Findley & Rogers, our lawyers for restoring gun rights can help you regain your firearm rights.

How do I restore my gun rights?

May 01, 2020 · Four Ways to Restore Your Gun Rights. To legally own a firearm, you could either expunge your felony, appeal the ban, restore your civil rights, or obtain a pardon. On the federal level, regaining your rights via restoration isn’t an option. The two main routes are through an expungement or a presidential pardon.

Can a felony conviction affect my gun rights in Washington State?

Apr 16, 2020 · Only a qualified post-conviction attorney can properly advise you on the best approach for getting your gun rights back. When you meet with a lawyer, explain your situation. He or she will let you know if, under state and federal law, you can get your gun rights restored. Ask the attorney which form of post-conviction relief you can apply for.

Can you get a felony conviction for owning a gun?

Nov 20, 2019 · Unlike Louisiana law, there is no time period after which gun rights are automatically restored, and this rule applies to all types of felonies if the offense is punishable by a term of more than one year. Note that you do not actually need to receive a sentence of more than one year for this rule to apply.

Can a convicted felon own a gun after 10 years in California?

California imposes a lifetime firearms ban on anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense in any state or country.

Does Prop 47 restore gun rights?

PROP 47 DOES NOT RESTORE GUN RIGHTS Since the law is retroactive, people who had been convicted of felonies years ago were suddenly eligible to apply to have their old convictions reduced to misdemeanors. A Prop 47 reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor will not restore your firearm rights.

How can a felon get his gun rights back in Texas?

Currently there only way for a felony to regain his rights to possess a firearm in Texas and that is through full pardon. Given the very limited number of pardons issued from the governor's office, a pardon is extremely unlikely and very expensive.

How long before a convicted felon can own a gun in Michigan?

3 yearsIf you were convicted of any other kind of felony (or any crime punishable by 4 years or more in prison), you cannot possess, use, transport, sell, or purchase a firearm or ammunition in Michigan until 3 years after you have met all of the conditions below: You paid all of your criminal fines.

What states automatically restore gun rights?

- Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota automatically restore firearms rights to convicted felons - including those who committed violent crimes - but make them wait five to 15 years after they complete state supervision, the center and ATF found.Feb 9, 1992

Can I own a gun with an expunged felony in California?

An expungement or record sealing will NOT restore your firearm rights. You will need to wait the 10-years even if you have your conviction expunged or sealed. The only way this can be lifted is if you get a court order from a judge.

Does Texas restore gun rights?

Restoring Your Gun Rights in Texas In Texas, a person convicted of a felony may not purchase or possess a firearm. Firearm rights are automatically restored 5 years after release from confinement or probation. However, the individual may only possess a firearm on the premises where the individual lives.

What felonies Cannot be expunged in Texas?

Most offenses that involve children, sexual assault, and violent acts are not eligible for record sealing in Texas. Also, offenders with a DWI, Driving While Intoxicated, (PC 49.04-49.08) are not eligible to have their offense sealed from their criminal record.

How do I get a pardon in Texas?

To apply:Obtain certified court documents directly through the court your case originally occurred at.Prepare a personal statement.Letters of recommendation.Submit your completed Pardon Application to the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole, General Counsel's Office.

Can a felon get gun rights back in Michigan?

A person convicted of a non-specified felony does not need to have his or her firearm and ammunition rights restored by a concealed weapons licensing board. His or her rights to possess a firearm and ammunition, under Michigan law, are automatically restored three years after all of the above circumstances exist.May 29, 2014

What felonies can be expunged in Michigan?

Felonies that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison, attempt to commit a felony for which the maximum punishment is life, felony domestic violence (if the person had a previous domestic violence misdemeanor), child abuse, most criminal sexual conduct offenses, DUIs, and traffic offenses causing injury or death.Jan 29, 2021

Can I buy a gun with a felony in Michigan?

Can a felon buy a gun in Michigan? It's unlawful for a person convicted of a felony to possess, carry or use a firearm unless their right to possess, carry or use the firearm has been restored.Sep 1, 2021

Does Vacating / Expunging a Conviction Restore My Firearm Rights?

No, that is a separate process in Washington.However, at Findley & Rogers, we offer both of these services. Whether you need a gun rights lawyer, o...

I Have a Federal Conviction. Can I Restore My Rights?

As gun rights lawyers in Washington State, we get this question fairly often, and sadly the answer is, mostly, “no.”Federal law does not presently...

I Had an Involuntary Commitment. Can I Restore My Firearm Rights?

Washington law does allow people with involuntary mental health commitments in their medical history to restore their firearm rights. However, the...

I Was Previously Allowed to Purchase a Firearm, but Now Am Being Denied. What Happened?

Any number of things could explain a sudden change in your ability to purchase a firearm.One common reason we encounter as gun rights attorneys is...

I Had an Out-of-State Conviction and Had My Rights Restored There. Do I Have to Restore My Rights in...

Yes, Washington does not recognize the restoration of rights from another State unless it is the equivalent of a full unconditional governor's pard...

I Tried to Purchase a Firearm and Was Denied. Can I Be Charged With A Crime?

If your purchase denial was as a result of a legal loss of firearm rights, then, yes, you technically could be charged with attempted unlawful poss...

I Have Had My Rights Restored. How Do I Answer The Questions on ATF Form 4473 About Past Convictions...

The ATF Form 4473 has an instruction that states that, if you have had your rights restored, you should answer “no” to the question asking if you w...

How to restore your rights to own a gun?

Four Ways to Restore Your Gun Rights. To legally own a firearm, you could either expunge your felony, appeal the ban, restore your civil rights, or obtain a pardon. On the federal level, regaining your rights via restoration isn’t an option. The two main routes are through an expungement or a presidential pardon.

How long does it take to get a gun back after a felony?

In some states, you can still purchase a gun even if you have a felony on your record. Others require felons to wait a few years, usually between five and ten, before their firearm rights are restored.

Why is expungement important?

An expungement removes the felony charge from your criminal record all together. This is important because it gives you back your gun rights and makes it easier to find employment, housing, and a loan/credit card . Only first-time felons are eligible for an expungement.

What is the National Crime Information Center?

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) oversees who can and can’t buy a gun. Since the NCIC is part of the FBI, they collect people’s criminal records and conduct background checks to determine who is eligible to own a firearm. Because of this, felons may contact the NCIC to appeal erroneous information. For instance, the state police arrested a suspect on DUI charges, but the court dismissed the case and found the defendant to be innocent. However, the court’s decision doesn’t immediately get updated. To put it another way, the accused’s criminal record may still indicate that they’re facing OVI charges.

What are the rights of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments?

The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments protect you before, during, and after the trial. If any of these rights are violated, the case against you will be dismissed. Subsequently, so will any prohibitions on your right to buy a gun. Firstly, police officers need to obtain a warrant to search your belongings.

Can felons dispute their criminal record?

Alongside the NCIC system, felons can dispute errors on their criminal record with the FBI. Since the Bureau assembles all state-level information, they offer a comprehensive background check that many entities, including gun sellers, rely on. To submit a correction request, you would first contact the state or law enforcement agency that prosecuted/accused you of wrongdoing.

Does the federal government lift gun rights?

However, if the state restores all of your civil rights, the federal government automatically lifts any firearm prohibitions against you . Felons should note, though, that this isn’t the case when state authorities only give you back your gun rights without fully restoring other civil entitlements.

What is the best mechanism for gun rights restoration?

The best mechanism for gun rights restoration is a court-ordered reduction of an offense from a felony to a misdemeanor. This will not work for certain bans which apply to misdemeanor convictions. We know it can be difficult to know where to start. We can make a game plan for you.

Why is my gun purchase denied?

Gun purchases are always denied based upon state or federal level records. You will not be denied a firearm purchase because of an incorrect court or police record if the state and federal records are accurate.

What does it mean when your police record is incorrect?

However, incorrect state or police records generally mean that the state or federal records are also incorrect. Furthermore, even if federal records, such as the FBI report and FBI/ATF NICS database, are incorrect, you will not necessarily be denied a gun purchase as long as your state record is correct.

What to do if DOJ records are incorrect?

If DOJ records are incorrect, and it is verified that the submitting agencies have all submitted the information required for the records to be corrected, you can complete an administrative review process with the DOJ to request an update. If they refuse, you can sue to force an update.

What is a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction?

Domestic violence convictions include any offense which is committed against a girlfriend/boyfriend, spouse, or ex or a child of yours or of a significant other which involves touching or the threat of touching.

What does it mean when a case is unreported?

An unreported disposition is when a police department or court never report that your case was closed. Having what looks like an open case can cause the Department of Justice to believe that you may have a conviction which prohibits your firearm rights. This is a common problem.

How long can you be banned from firearms in California?

There are also other California offenses which can cause a 10 year ban. Certain juvenile offenses can trigger a ban until you reach the age of 30. Lifeback Legal can help you figure out if you are under a firearm ban and what it will take to restore your gun rights.

What happens if you ignore your firearms disability?

If you choose to ignore the firearms disability, you are risking criminal prosecution and up to ten years in prison. However, there are often legal processes in place to restore your lost gun rights. Please contact our gun rights restoration lawyers if you have reason to believe that you are prohibited from possessing firearms, ...

Is a background check good?

Unfortunately, though the background check program is very good, it is not foolproof. If you have been improperly “denied,” or “delayed,” there are legal ways to find and correct errors in your NICS criminal record. Let us help you “clear your name” and resolve those problems.

What happens if you lose your gun rights?

If you lost your gun rights for a domestic violence crime, federal law has its own firearms restrictions. Currently, there is no restoration procedure under federal law. Consequently, even if your rights are restored under state law following a domestic violence conviction, the federal government will not recognize the state order.

What is the underlying conviction for a firearm?

The underlying conviction is the conviction which resulted in revocation of your gun rights. If the underlying conviction is a Class A felony ...

What is a CPL in Washington?

Once your firearms rights are restored under Washington law, you are eligible to apply for a concealed pistol license (CPL). A CPL authorizes a person to carry a pistol concealed on their person, except in prohibited areas (e.g., bars, schools, hospitals). CPLs are issued by the county sheriff or local chief of police.

How long does a CPL last in Washington?

CPLs are issued by the county sheriff or local chief of police. CPLs last for five years before they need to be renewed. Washington is considered a “shall issue” state. This means that if you meet the eligibility requirements in the statute, the government is required to issue you a CPL.

How long is the 4th degree assault?

For misdemeanors like Assault in the Fourth Degree (Domestic Violence) the period is three years. By criminal offense, the law means ANY criminal law violation, from felonies to simple misdemeanors. The crimes do not have to be violent in nature to prohibit restoration. Based upon this information, if you think you may be eligible, ...

Is it illegal to own a gun in Washington?

Unlawful possession of a firearm is a felony under Washington law. Even those who lack interest in firearms can be affected by having these rights revoked. If you have lost this right, this precludes you from knowingly possessing or having access to a firearm.

Can you deny a CPL if you have been convicted of domestic violence?

If your rights have been restored following a domestic violence conviction, some jurisdictions will consider your state restoration valid if the newly restored right was the only “hold” on your firearms rights. Other jurisdictions will interpret the lingering federal prohibition as a grounds to deny your CPL.

How to get your gun rights back after conviction?

Apply for an expungement. Before applying for the restoration of your gun rights, you need to receive post-conviction relief. An expungement is a form of relief that will seal your arrest and conviction records, thereby making them disappear.

How to get your gun rights back?

In order to get your firearm rights back, you will need permission of both the federal government and your state. To begin the process, you need to research your state law and then apply for a pardon, expungement, or restoration of your civil rights. Getting back your gun rights can be very difficult. For this reason, you should employ the ...

How do I get my gun rights back after being expunged?

Get the application. Once you have received your expungement, restoration of civil rights, or pardon, you then need to apply to have your gun rights restored. Your state should have an application. Many states have uploaded their applications onto the web.

How to get an expungement?

Generally, the more serious the offense, the more time you must wait. Get an application. You will need to fill out an application or a petition in order to apply for an expungement. In it, you will need to list the dates of your convictions. You also will need to provide certified copies of your court papers.

What to do instead of an expungement?

2. Petition for the restoration of your civil rights. Instead of an expungement, you could apply for restoration of your civil rights. Your civil rights include your right to vote, to serve on a jury, and to run for public office. As with an expungement, states have different requirements.

What to do if you are convicted of a crime?

Read your state law. If you were convicted of a state crime, then you can seek a pardon, expungement, or restoration of your civil rights from your Governor. You must find out whether or not you can get this post-conviction relief along with the right to possess a firearm.

When will civil rights be restored?

In many states, your civil rights will be automatically restored after the completion of your sentence if you are a first-time offender. In other states, only some rights (such as the right to vote) will be automatically restored; you must apply for restoration of the others.

What is the federal law on a felon's gun rights?

The Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. 922 (g), (n), (d), prohibits the possession of a firearm by a person convicted in any court of “a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.” 18 U.S.C. 921 (g)- (h). Unlike Louisiana law, there is no time period after which gun rights are ...

Why is it so hard to get gun rights in Louisiana?

The reason that determining gun rights is difficult in Louisiana is because state law and federal law say different things. This post will start first with Louisiana law, explain the federal law, and then talk about how Louisiana and federal law work together.

What is the law in Louisiana regarding guns?

Louisiana State Law on Restoring a Felon’s Gun Rights. La. R.S. 14:95.1 prohibits possession of a firearm by someone convicted of a felony offense of a crime of violence, a felony violation of the Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, or any offense defined as a sex offense.

How long can you have a gun in Louisiana?

If you are convicted of one of these felony offenses, then you are not allowed to possess a gun in Louisiana for at least 10 years after the conviction. However, once 10 years pass after you complete your sentence, including any probation and parole requirements, it is not a criminal offense to possess a gun under Louisiana state law.

How long does it take to get a gun back in Louisiana?

In conclusion, gun rights can be restored in Louisiana under state and federal law after a felony conviction as long as (1) the conviction is not for a crime of violence, (2) 10 years have passed since completion of the sentence, and (3) the conviction is expunged. November 20, 2019 /. by Sam Winston.

What is a controlled dangerous substance?

The Controlled Dangerous Substances Act prohibits possession and distribution of any illegal narcotic, including marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription drugs without a prescription. Sex offenses are defined in La. R.S. 15:541 (24) (a). If you are convicted of one of these felony offenses, ...

Can a person in Louisiana have a concealed carry permit?

This has been interpreted to mean that a person who cannot legally obtain a concealed carry permit under Louisiana law will violate federal law if they possess any type of firearm. See, e.g., Axton v.