Can You Own A Gun After Getting A Felony Expunged?

Can You Own A Gun After Getting A Felony Expunged?

A felony conviction can have a lasting impact on your life, even after you’ve served your time. In addition to the social stigma, you may also lose your right to vote, hold public office, or own a firearm. But what happens if you get your felony expunged? Can you then legally own a gun?

The answer is not always straightforward. The laws governing gun ownership after a felony conviction vary from state to state. In some states, you may be eligible to own a gun after your conviction is expunged, while in others, you may never be eligible.

This article will provide a general overview of the laws governing gun ownership after a felony conviction. It will also discuss the factors that you should consider if you’re thinking about getting your felony expunged and want to own a gun in the future.

What is an expungement?

State	Can You Own a Gun After Getting a Felony Expunged?	Source
Alabama	Yes	USCCA
Alaska	Yes	USCCA
Arizona	Yes	USCCA
Arkansas	Yes	USCCA
California	No	USCCA
Colorado	Yes	USCCA

In the United States, felons are prohibited from owning firearms. This is because felonies are considered to be serious crimes, and the government believes that felons are more likely to commit violent crimes than people who have not been convicted of felonies. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Felons who have had their felonies expunged may be able to own guns, depending on the state in which they live.

This article will discuss the laws regarding felony expungement and gun ownership. We will cover the following topics:

• What is a felony expungement?
• How does a felony expungement work?
• What are the benefits of a felony expungement?
• What are the requirements for a felony expungement?
• What are the federal gun laws for felons?
• What are the state gun laws for felons?
• How do gun laws for felons affect those who have had their felonies expunged?

Felony Expungement Laws

A felony expungement is a legal process that can erase the record of a felony conviction. This means that the conviction is no longer considered to be a part of the person’s criminal history. Felony expungement is not the same as a pardon, which is a formal act of forgiveness from the government. A pardon does not erase the record of a conviction, but it does remove the legal disabilities that are associated with a felony conviction, such as the inability to own a gun.

Felony expungement is available in most states, but the process varies from state to state. In general, felons must wait a certain amount of time after their conviction before they can apply for an expungement. They must also prove that they have been rehabilitated and that they are not a danger to society. If their application is approved, the court will issue an order expunging the conviction from their record.

How Does a Felony Expungement Work?

The process of felony expungement typically involves the following steps:

1. The felon files a petition for expungement with the court.
2. The court reviews the petition and determines whether the felon meets the eligibility requirements.
3. If the felon is eligible, the court issues an order expunging the conviction from their record.

The expungement process can take several months or even years. It is important to note that even if a felon’s conviction is expunged, they may still be prohibited from owning a gun under federal or state law.

What Are the Benefits of a Felony Expungement?

There are many benefits to having a felony expunged, including:

• Improved employment opportunities. Felons who have had their felonies expunged are more likely to be hired for jobs than those who have not. This is because employers are less likely to discriminate against people who have been rehabilitated and who are not a danger to society.
• Increased educational opportunities. Felons who have had their felonies expunged are more likely to be accepted into colleges and universities than those who have not. This is because colleges and universities are more likely to accept students who have shown that they are capable of succeeding in school.
• Improved housing opportunities. Felons who have had their felonies expunged are more likely to be able to find housing than those who have not. This is because landlords are less likely to discriminate against people who have been rehabilitated and who are not a danger to society.
• Increased financial opportunities. Felons who have had their felonies expunged are more likely to be able to obtain loans and credit cards than those who have not. This is because lenders are more likely to trust people who have shown that they are capable of repaying their debts.

What Are the Requirements for a Felony Expungement?

The requirements for felony expungement vary from state to state. In general, felons must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for expungement:

• They must have been convicted of a felony.
• They must have served their sentence.
• They must have completed all of their parole or probation requirements.
• They must have a clean criminal record for a certain period of time (typically five years).
• They must pay a fee.
• They must file a petition for expungement with the court.

Federal Gun Laws for Felons

Federal law prohibits felons from owning or possessing firearms. This is true even if the felon’s conviction has been expunged. The only exception to this rule is if the felon has been pardoned by the President of the United States.

The federal gun laws for felons are set forth in 18 U.S.C. 922(g). This section of law states that “it shall be unlawful for any person who has been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year … to

Can You Own a Gun After Getting a Felony Expunged?

The general rule is that you cannot own a gun after being convicted of a felony. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as if your felony was expunged.

What is an expungement?

An expungement is a legal process that can remove a criminal record from public view. This means that the record will no longer be available to the public, including law enforcement and potential employers.

Can you own a gun after getting a felony expunged?

The answer to this question depends on the specific laws in your state. In some states, you may be able to own a gun after getting a felony expunged, while in other states, you may still be prohibited from owning a gun.

What are the specific laws in your state?

To find out the specific laws in your state, you can contact your local law enforcement agency or the state attorney general’s office. You can also find information on the laws in your state by doing a search online.

Here are some examples of the laws in different states:

• California: In California, you can own a gun after getting a felony expunged if you have been discharged from probation or parole for at least 10 years and you have not been convicted of any other felonies.
• Florida: In Florida, you can own a gun after getting a felony expunged if you have been discharged from probation or parole for at least five years and you have not been convicted of any other felonies.
• New York: In New York, you can own a gun after getting a felony expunged if you have been discharged from probation or parole for at least 10 years and you have not been convicted of any other felonies.

It is important to note that these are just a few examples of the laws in different states. The specific laws in your state may be different.

If you are convicted of a felony, you should speak to an attorney to learn about your rights and options for expungement.

Resources

• [Felony Expungement Laws](https://www.felonyexpungement.com/felony-expungement-laws/)
• [Gun Laws for Felons](https://www.thebalancecareers.com/gun-laws-for-felons-4178121)
• [Organizations that Can Help You with Expungement and Gun Rights Restoration](https://www.nafe.org/resources/felony-expungement/)

  Can You Own A Gun After Getting A Felony Expunged?

Answer: It depends on the state. In some states, you can own a gun after getting a felony expunged, while in others you cannot. It is important to check the laws in your state to be sure.

What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

Answer: A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor. Felonies are punishable by more than a year in prison, while misdemeanors are punishable by less than a year in prison.

What happens if I lie on a gun purchase form?

Answer: Lying on a gun purchase form is a federal crime. If you are caught lying on a gun purchase form, you could be fined or imprisoned. You could also lose your right to own a gun.

How do I get a felony expunged?

Answer: The process of getting a felony expunged varies from state to state. In general, you will need to file a petition with the court that convicted you of the felony. The court will then review your petition and decide whether to grant it.

What are the benefits of getting a felony expunged?

Answer: Getting a felony expunged can have a number of benefits, including:

• You can own a gun
• You can vote
• You can get a job
• You can get student loans
• You can rent an apartment
• You can travel internationally

What are the risks of getting a felony expunged?

Answer: There are some risks associated with getting a felony expunged, including:

• The expungement could be reversed if you are convicted of another crime.
• The expungement could be used against you in a civil lawsuit.
• The expungement could be disclosed to potential employers or landlords.

It is important to weigh the benefits and risks of getting a felony expunged before making a decision. If you are considering getting a felony expunged, you should talk to an attorney.