An ethics question

[2damnold4this]

There is a fellow that hunts archery only as a guest while his father hunts with a firearm. I don't know if he is hunting with a bow because he has to or if it's a choice. I'd have no problem with the felon hunting with archery tackle.

I feel like if I see the felon in possession of a firearm, I'll be obliged to report it. At this point, I'll speak to the folks that brought the felon as a guest and ask them not to do so in the future.

The folks that have brought the felon as a guest have been bringing the son to hunt while the felonious father was in prison. He's seems to be a good young man but I think it has more to do with the nice guys in the club than the father that who has been in prison for the last ten years.

I'm not sure the folks that brought the felon as a guest provided the firearm but they might have. They certainly know he was hunting with a firearm and they know he is a felon.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I read about a case here in Missouri a few years ago in which not only the felon was arrested for possession of a rifle, but the guy who gave it to him was also charged with (?) aiding and abetting a known felon.

I find it ironic that a club which supports the 2A would condone something like this, if in fact it is well know among the club. Discuss it among the club officers and go from there.

If the club members really want to do the right thing and they feel this guy is now an upstanding member of the community, let them get together and help him submit his paperwork to restore his rights.

I personaly would not want to be associated with a club that condones this type of behavior. JMHO.

 

[Pahoo]

A person who provides the felon with a firearm, or access thereto, has also committed a felony offense.

A person who assists, aids or abets the possession of a firearm of a felon can be charged with rendering criminal assistance.

I read about a case here in Missouri a few years ago in which not only the felon was arrested for possession of a rifle, but the guy who gave it to him was also charged with (?) aiding and abetting a known felon.

Take heart as this is how the law may see it regardless of what your persoanal feelings might be. I also know of a case in Northern Illinoise where a dealer handed a firearm to a convicted felon, without requiring this felon to show his FOID card. Not sure what action was taken against that dealer but sure shook up a bunch of them. Perhaps some Illinoise folks can shed some additional light on this. I got this from a dealer who asked for my card at a show and would not let me look at one of her firearms till I showed this card. Told "Her" that I was out of state and just wanted to see this particular model. I thanked her and started to walk away, at which point she let me look at it. I thanked her
again.

Be Safe !!!

 

[Brian Pfleuger]

I'm not sure the folks that brought the felon as a guest provided the firearm but they might have. They certainly know he was hunting with a firearm and they know he is a felon.

It also entirely possible that they don't actually know that they're breaking the law. It not unreasonable at all that they would have no knowledge of such a thing. The felon knows, for sure, but, well, he's a felon, what do you expect? He's not going to be honest about it.

I guess I have several options.

Whatever option you choose, be diplomatic about it. Personally, I don't see why you'd have to quit the club unless you make an effort to fix the problem and things REALLY go south but if you think that quitting the club is the right thing to do then that's what you should do.

If it were me I would discreetly talk to the folks who brought the guy and ask them if they are aware that letting a felon use their firearms is illegal. You're pretty likely to get a and a from them and you won't see it happen again.

 

[Art Eatman]

I would certainly begin by discussing the matter with whoever is the "boss" of the hunt club, pointing out the legal issues. His reaction would influence any next action on my part. I'd probably discuss it with any club member with whom I was most friendly.

I really don't know if I'd inform the legal authorities; odds are I'd just drop out of the club if the other members were unconcerned. If other members turned out to obviously not care, or were hostile toward me, I'd drop out of the group and probably go ahead and tell the legal authorities.

But, one step at a time...

 

[Daryl]

Sounds like the felon didn't learn much during his 10 years in prison.

First thing he does when he gets out is commit another felony...probably repeatedly if he's hunted more than once.

Not a person I'd want to spend much time around, that's for sure.

Daryl