Take a felon shooting?

A

Ac1d0v3r1d3

New member
So my question is pretty simple. Is it legal to take an Ex-con shooting?

Heres my situation. I work with a guy who served as a Ranger is Somolia and Haiti. He made some mistakes right out of the army and went to jail. He didnt commit any violent crimes, just took somethings he shouldnt have when he left the army. He did his time, did his parole. He hasnt commited any crimes since then, he has a steady job, married 10 years etc. So we talk guns a lot and he mentioned that he wanted to go shooting sometime, but i dont know if it'd be legal for me or not.

Also, I know its illegal for fellons to buy firearms, but is there any way he could legally obtain a gun? Is there any precedent for it? Could the NRA help him? He just wants a hunting rifle, nothing too scary or exciting.
Thanks
Chris

P.S. I dont want to break any laws, nor am i advocating breaking any laws. So please dont flame me on this. And Mods, if this thread makes you uncomfortable feel free to shut it down.
 
Unfortunately for your friend, unless he has a full pardon he will not be allowed under law to posses a firearm. And if you put it in his hands, you'll go down too.

Even then, check with a lawyer regarding this. There may be subtleties to the law I am most certainly not aware of.
 
The Canuck was correct. Unless he gets a full pardon, as soon as he picks up a firearm, he's a Felon in Possession of a Firearm which is a felony on the state level as well as the federal level. As far as you making the firearm available to him, I'm not too sure. I would have to check on that one. Either way, whether it is illegal or not for you to make it available to him, I would stay away from it.
 
either on here or another forum i've read where a felon can use bows or muzzle loaders-black powder but no 209 primers according to federal law, still they couldn't go to a range where modern guns were being used while he was there.
some states do not allow felons to use muzzle loaders though.
 
I've heard that the blackpowder loophole was closed and is now classed as a firearm under the ATF, not positive though.
 
He doesn't need a full pardon
He needs to petition for a restoration of his civil rights

In some states it is automatic after a certain number of years, in some it is a complex procedure.
There is a procedure in place at the federal level but no funding for the department so it is a moot point.

I don't know that you would "go down" if you allowed him to shoot your guns at a range, it should be his responsibility to abide by his sentence not your's.
 
Here is some info with regard to Washington state:

Some crimes may never be vacated; however, most Class B and C felony offenses can be dismissed and ultimately vacated from criminal history. A person may have a felony offense vacated unless one of the following applies:

The conviction is for a class A felony or attempt to commit a Class A felony
The conviction was a violent offense
The conviction was a crime against persons
The offender has a new criminal conviction since the date of discharge from supervision
The offender has criminal charges pending in any municipal, state or federal court
The conviction is for a class B felony and less than 10 years have passed since date of discharge from supervision
The conviction is for a class C felony and less than 5 years have passed since date of discharge from supervision

http://www.washrecord.com/index.htm

Q: For purposes of the felon in possession of a firearm statute, is there a distinction between handguns, long rifles and muzzleloaders under Washington law?

A: No. "Firearm" means a weapon or device from which a projectile or projectiles may be fired by an explosive such as gunpowder. Thus, any firearm will support a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. In fact, each firearm possessed will support a separate charge.

Q: Under federal law, a muzzleloader is not a restricted firearm. Can I hunt in Washington with a muzzleloader?

A: .Under Washington law, a muzzleloader is a firearm. You must have the right to possess firearms restored to avoid the risk of being prosecuted by the State of Washington. You could not be prosecuted by the federal government if the weapon meets the federal exception.

Q: How long does it take to have my firearm rights restored?

A: Obtaining an order restoring firearm rights typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. The right to possess firearms is effective when the order is signed by the judge and filed with the court. Updating the WSP and FBI databases can take from 3 weeks to 3 months.

http://www.washrecord.com/faqFA.htm#FA11

Hope this helps.....
 
Found this info on the website of an Attorney in the Seattle area. the phrase "has in his or her control any firearm" appears to be key.

One of the most serious and certainly the most common felony charge involving firearms is Unlawful Possession of a Firearm First or Unlawful Possession of a Firearm Second Degree. The first is a Class "B" felony, the second a Class "C" felony. These crimes result when a person either adult or juvenile, previously convicted of a felony in this state, another state, or in Federal Court, possesses any kind of firearm.

It does not matter whether the prior felony conviction was as a juvenile or as an adult. This offense is frequently referred to as Felon in Possession of a Firearm . In Washington, it is formally known as a Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, or VUFA, for short.

First Degree

A person, whether adult or juvenile, is guilty of the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree, if the person owns, has in his or her possession, or has in his or her control any firearm after having previously been convicted, either as an adult or juvenile, of any serious offense such as:

1. Any "crime of violence" including all Class A felonies, and many Class B felonies;

2. Any degree of Burglary

3. Any Class B controlled substance offense such as delivery or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, heroin, or cocaine;

4. Almost any felony sex offense including promoting prostitution or sexual exploitation;

5. Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Assault;

Second Degree

A person, whether adult or juvenile, is guilty of the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, if the person owns, has in his or her possession, or has in his or her control any firearm after having previously been convicted, either as an adult or juvenile, of:

1. any other felony offense;

2. any gross misdemeanor charge of Assault Fourth Degree, Coercion, stalking, reckless endangerment, violation of a no contact or protection order or criminal trespass in the first degree involving Domestic Violence

http://rsmckaylaw.com/firearm_offenses.php
 
Missing The Point!

Also, I know its illegal for fellons [sic] to buy firearms, but is there any way he could legally obtain a gun?
Click to expand...

NO.

And all this discussion of state law ignores the REAL issue: A felon in possession - and that means just holding it in his/her hands - is violating FEDERAL law.

And since the felony apparently occurred while he was active-duty military, that makes the original felony itself a Federal offense. What Washington does with felonies under its laws is irrelevant.
 
Number 6

And all this discussion of state law ignores the REAL issue: A felon in possession - and that means just holding it in his/her hands - is violating FEDERAL law.
Click to expand...

I'm not an attorney, and have no interest in arguing the point with you, but the information on the site I quoted said:

Q: I was convicted of a felony in another state. Can I have my firearm rights restored in Washington?

A: It is only fitting that since you can be prosecuted in Washington for possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony in another state, that you can have the right to possess firearms within the State of Washington restored by a Washington court. You could not be prosecuted by the State of Washington. However, federal courts have held only the convicting jurisdiction may restore firearms rights. Thus, you could be prosecuted by the federal government. In order to remove the federal firearm disability and gain approval status with NICS, you must have your firearm rights restored by the state in which you were convicted. In some cases, an expungement or setting aside may remove the federal firearm disability - depending on the law of the state in which you were convicted.
Click to expand...
 
Still missing the key element

Just my 2¢, and it probably ain't worth that.
Click to expand...

Correct. From your own post:

However, federal courts have held only the convicting jurisdiction may restore firearms rights. Thus, you could be prosecuted by the federal government.
Click to expand...

Once again, the OP's friend STOLE FROM THE MILITARY! That is NOT a state issue.

What the State of Washington does was and is irrelevant as it has absolutely NO authority to affect a Federal conviction. :rolleyes:
 
Finish the analysis

I stated that I am not an attorney.....just trying to help.
Click to expand...

Acknowledged.

Now please explain how:

1. A layman, who:

2. Failed to grasp the significant language in his own post; yet

3. "Advised" anyway,

achieved the stated objective of helping?

Then explain who was the real "jerk."

If you can't help - don't hinder!
 
sasquatch

Thanks, i'll tell my buddy about that website, and about his options.

Number 6, Your not being helpful. sasquatch said he didnt want to argue. Most of the stuff you said has already been said in the first few posts. Thanks for your input anyway.
Chris
 
Ac1d0v3r1d3

"Thanks, i'll tell my buddy about that website, and about his options."
Click to expand...

You are quite welcome. I know I didn't really provide any comprehensive answers, but hopefully it will get you started in the right direction. What a pain it is when you have to look forward to possibly having lawyers involved.

Best of luck.
 
You have to remember, the state has there own laws and the feds have there laws. Someone could be in compliance with state law, but still be violating a federal law. For example, in Texas on the state level, a felon can posses a firearm only at his residence after 5 yrs have passed since the felony sentence was concluded and the felon has not violated any laws since then. However, according to federal law, a felon can never posses a firearm after being convicted of a felony, unless of course he gets a pardon and has his rights restored.
 
thanks sasquatch and thanks forn the heads up trooper. Hopefully he can figure something out and i'll have a new range/hunting buddy.
 
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