A rare Second Amendment exemption from federal ban on felons possessing guns

I think released criminals overall represent more of a danger if they have guns, but that needs to be addressed by law reform and criminal justice reforms rather than by banning such convicts from having guns.
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I am curious what reforms you would suggest. As to the law, either you are allowed, or you are prohibited. I don't see a middle ground.

personally, I think where we have gone wrong is the blanket proscription against any "felon". (and remember the rule, its not what the sentence actually is, but what it could be, anything punishable by more than 1 year).

I think that today, we have too many crimes classed as felonies.

And add to this, we now have, thanks to Lautenberg, misdemeanor crimes that strip you permanently of your rights.

We ought to be looking at each case, on a case by case basis, but we don't. No one wants to provide money for that.

The result is that the kid who, drunk at 19 commits felony stupid, (trespass under certain conditions is one), gets the same punishment after release as a serial rapist or murder (permanent loss of some rights).

We, as a society are tarring them all with the same brush. We shouldn't, but we do. IF you have suggestions on how to fix this, I'll listen.
 
You missed the entirety of my statement. They have been released, completed parole and have satisfied the entire penalty imposed upon them by the court. Thus completely discharged.

Why should these individuals continue to pay? Why as a society can't we learn to let someone start over? A reset as you will.

I know that once in the system 60% will commit more crime and return. I also know that 78% of all incarcerated individuals will eventually return to the streets.

So should we provide a path where they may return to productivity and full rights?

Mel
 
44AMP, I was referring to criminal justice system, court system, and social reforms, to support rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and (as you mentioned) to keep out of prison anyone who doesn't need to be there.
 
guruatbol, you make lots of sense.

Easier to stay out of prison if you can get a job, easier to get a job if you are not wearing the "felon" label and can "start over" having "paid your debt to society".

There used to be a term, "ex-con" meaning someone who had been a convict but was no longer one. But - once convicted of a felony, always a felon? It reminds me of the ATF ruling that "once a machinegun, always a machinegun" - so no semi-auto M14s go to the CMP for sale to civilians.
 
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