Can I Own A Gun? (Legal Question)

C

CrossCountry

Inactive
First Post. Hi. My name is Al. I run a hobby store in California. I like the forums here.

So I'm considering purchasing a firearm for practicing at the range. I have never owned a gun before now so this will be my first. Hopefully. I'm worried about a legal issue, though. I was reading over California state law about firearm ownership and I have a few questions. I'll try to give all the details about my situation.
About three years back I was threatened by a young man as I was locking up my store. I told him not to start any trouble buy he was intoxicated and was looking for a fight. In an attempt to scare the guy off I ended up pulling out a knife that I was carrying. Right then an officer showed up. In the end I was charged with brandishing a deadly weapon. Tough break.
I was wondering if that would effect my purchasing a firearm. I thought I read somewhere that anyone who displayed a knife or weapon in a fight would be prevented from owning a firearm for a period of five years. If so I'll just have to wait. Does anyone know the specifics of the law and how they relate to past offenses? I'd appreciate any help. I guess I could always just apply and pay the fee. I'd just like to get some advice before I go and try.
 
Hi CrossCountry,

Welcome to The Firing Line. :)

You said you were charged with brandishing a deadly weapon. Were you convicted? Might make a big difference.

-Dave
 
Right. Yes. I was convicted. The judge decided to make an example out of me. It didn't help that the kid was the son of a police officer.
 
You are probably ok. I was lucky enough to spend four years with the USMC to straighten me out back in the '70s because the prisons were a little full at the time. Burying a 4 inch blade into the intestines of a kid in school didn't screw my record up enough to keep me from buying everything short of full auto.

So I think you have it pretty good.

Anyone else think that it is odd that when a person can't figure out how to commit murder correctly the person sometimes gets to go in the military to perfect their skills?

Todd if you are out there, I now realize that when stabbing low, the cutting edge should be pointing UP. Doh! Sorry about that whole colostomy thing. But don't worry, the USMC thing worked. Got it all out of my system.
 
Make sure it is legal for you to own a gun before applying for a permit. In NC it is illegal for anyone that is prohibited by law from owning a gun to apply for a permit to purchase one. +1 on check with a lawyer.
 
That's just plain messed up.

I can see that a person convicted of a Class X felony should know that they can't have a gun. But there might be lots of people that have no idea that they aren't eligible. I think if you pay your fee, you ought to get at least one exemption for finding out something they weren't even aware of.

Jim
 
If convicted of a misdemeanor, you're probably ok. The only misdemeanor that I know will disqualify you are "domestic violence" convictions.

California does not require a permit to purchase a firearm, but does require a permit to carry your firearm in public places. There is no permit required to "carry" your firearm in your own home or business however.
 
jsp98m3
That's just plain messed up.
I can see that a person convicted of a Class X felony should know that they can't have a gun. But there might be lots of people that have no idea that they aren't eligible. I think if you pay your fee, you ought to get at least one exemption for finding out something they weren't even aware of.
Jim
Click to expand...

I may be wrong, but it may just apply to felons. There's a secretary at the Sheriff's office that handles all gun permits, it's not really something I have to be knowledgeable with on a daily basis.
You'd be surprised too at how many felons try to get a permit to purchase. It's at least 1 or 2 a month!
 
I guess I'm just a little touchy of being able to be convicted of a crime for seeking to follow the rules.

I do believe that applying for a permit to purchase a gun absolutely ought to be a parole violatoin and back you go to jail.

On the other hand, I don't want to drive people to skipping the legal application process by making up punitive actions to attempting to follow the rules.
 
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