I'm a felon, I've served my time...can I have my rights back please?

constitution garantee's that we cannot continue to be punished after time and punishment is served (prison/probation/whatever).
This of course is not the practice. Most states disregard this aspect and instead impose regulations towards felons and the like (not just violent).
People support it because they fear witches still, and will gladly give up their liberty in support of safety. It is pathetic.

I have family that have been tagged for making mistakes. I come on here and laugh at people complaining about conspiracy theories of how some rights may be sort of taken away in some obscure view of it, then completely ignore the actual constitutional breeches right in their own community without care..because its hard to stand up for the rights of someone who got caught in their mistakes.

I once had a employee whom got a couple DUIs and lost his license. Everyone ripped on him (he lost it several years earlier) at the job site.
What I found amusing was every single one of them drunk drove often...the only difference between them and him was he just got pulled over. the others out of sheer luck didn't at that point.

People love judging others. Its why court TV is so popular. Nancy Grace, Judge Joe, etc..this is who is voting, and who the department of "Justice" is catering towards.

Originally posted by DaMod
To the OP...

I'm sure you're a nice enough guy.....

With that said.... No I do not think you should get your rights back. You committed a felony.. Everyone knows what's at stake when you do such a thing.

There is a good reason felons are not allowed to own firearms.

Most felonies are committed by people whom aren't previously caught. Maybe for purposes of safety, we should give a all around ban. Granted, the constitution says we have certain rights...but the constitution also says a criminal cannot continue to be punished after their sentence is up..so its not like we care about the constitution anyhow.

I see a bit of irony with a Ron Paul tag in your sig. Defender of the constitution...well, the bits you like anyhow.

reply to post by onequestion


Many (if not most) of us made mistakes when we were younger and... um, dumber, call it what you will. It all boils down to the type and degree of the offence. In many states, first time felony offenders (of lesser crimes) can have that felony expunged from their record if they behave in a certain way for a certain amount of time. Perhaps you want to check that out.

On the flipside, one thing about this that has never really changed is that... while you may assume you have been forgiven (after serving your sentence), you can be sure you'll never be forgotten. Felonies are in the same bucket with dishonorable discharges from the military in that they do tend to pop up every time you'd like to forget them.

There was another conversation... don't recall if it was here or elsewhere (it's been a while) where one commentator said that because of the environment that American prison offer, they tend to generate more efficient criminals upon release than law abiding citizens. As such, there is no urge by law makers to do anything such as giving you back the right to own a gun, etc.

It's a tough row to hoe... best wishes to you.

reply to post by onequestion
No,
Unfortunately, you can't have your rights back.
Yes it does seem like a big price to pay and it does seem like a long time to pay that price.
But that is the way it is.
It's been that way for a long time. Since 1892.
You knew it before you did the crime.
Yes it is hard. It's supposed to help others see that they should not commit felonies.
Just because you feel like you're a pretty good guy now. Does not change what you did before.

reply to post by onequestion


So you can't go hunting with your family and can't own a gun for protection (which t sound like you don't need as you can handle yourself).

BOO FUKEN HOO!!

Are you homeless?

Are you starving?

Are void of getting an education?

Are you dying from a terminal disease?

Are you lacking the love and support system of family and friends?

I don't feel sorry for you has a convicted felon of a violent crime you don't get to own a gun.

You can still go hunting with your family--yes you may not be able to fire a gun but you can still go and BE WITH YOUR FAMILY THAT IS THE IMPORTANT THING.


Many MANY people have t much worse than you will ever have it

Yes the government and law has their hands in your cooking jar more than some that's the deal and it is fair--you are always free to leave if you choose so.

reply to post by onequestion


No. No you can't.

Because of your violent history, and the fact that this only happened four years ago, I sure as hell don't want you anywhere near a weapon. Regardless of any explaining that you do, that will never change that fact.

You proved yourself incapable of being able to keep yourself from being violent, and in all honesty, who is to say that you won't do it again? And who is to say you won't do it with a gun next time?

Maybe it's because my father was a cop. Maybe it was because my mother was severely beaten and raped by a person that had come out of jail who was charged for Rape before, but my opinion will never change on that issue.

Originally posted by TheTimeIsNow
Yes the government and law has their hands in your cooking jar more than some that's the deal and it is fair--you are always free to leave if you choose so.

Actually, he probably isn't.

You ever in your life been in a fight btw?

The holier than thou attitude being espoused by certain members is disgusting. Anyone who only has things to say like "you should have known better", "what were you expecting", or other such BS needs to take a long took at themselves.

I highly doubt there is a single member here who hasn't broken at least one law in their life, especially when alcohol has been in use (as with the op).

Judge not less thee be judged?!?!

Tardfaces.

Originally posted by psychonautical
The holier than thou attitude being espoused by certain members is disgusting. Anyone who only has things to say like "you should have known better", "what were you expecting", or other such BS needs to take a long took at themselves.

I highly doubt there is a single member here who hasn't broken at least one law in their life, especially when alcohol has been in use (as with the op).

Judge not less thee be judged?!?!

Tardfaces.

Thats not the point here the OP is here saying it is not fair that he cant vote or own a gun--most are saying that its is fair.

I can concede that it should get his voting rights back in time but owning a gun NO NEVER AGAIN. This guy was judged and found guilty thats the bottom line here

reply to post by TheTimeIsNow


A one time action, in the heat of the moment especially under the influence of alcohol should NEVER be allowed to effect the entirety of ones life. That is udder and complete stupidity.

Has any one action of your life defined your entire being???

Originally posted by psychonautical
reply to post by TheTimeIsNow

 

A one time action, in the heat of the moment especially under the influence of alcohol should NEVER be allowed to effect the entirety of ones life. That is udder and complete stupidity.

Has any one action of your life defined your entire being???

That one action s defining his life BECAUSE HE CHOOSES TO LET IT,

A Convicted felon of a violent crime should not be allowed to own a gun

I work in the Intelligence community and hold a TS clearance. Now f I was caught and convicted of selling TS secrets to North Korea, China, and Iran do you think i should be allowed to have a TS clearance re-instated and hired back once I served my time and paid my fines?

DO you think that??

Now this guy cant vote which sucks (not that voting is that great anyway) and he cant go shoot a gun while hunting with his family, but there is no law that says he cant go with them

He still has his life and health an love of a family


I DO NOT FEEL SORRY FOR HIM.

Just let time pass and try to get the record expunged. I may be wrong here, but if its expunged the felon would get his "rights" back, right?

reply to post by TheTimeIsNow


The constitution does not give citizens the right to TS clearance... you screw up a privilege, sure have it taken away. NOT A RIGHT. Votes, Guns, Speech.. are rights, thus immune to life time bans. Someone in the 'intelligence' field with confusion between rights and privileges. Yeah for our future.

Bottom line

One act/mistake does not define you

it is how we respond to that act/mistake is what does

RE-BIRTH and REBOUND

I have severe misgivings about what we label "criminal justice" and the system meant to support it in America. It seems that the term "criminal" has come to be used to label all manner of social crimes, which is to say that they are not crimes at all. They just violate the social sentiments of some parts of society.

With that in mind, I am also wholly opposed to any loss of rights for any one. "All men are created equal" is a pretty blunt statement. It isn't "some men", and there is no caveat like "except men who are..." added on the end. "All men are created equal".

"We hold these rights to be self evident". Once again, a fairly encompassing statement. If they are self evident, I am unsure what would make us think we can subdue them upon our whim.

Once time has been served, time has been served. If we feel we must remind them daily of their crime, then they should not be out of prison. When your debt is paid, your debt is paid. Period.

It is a travesty that a felon would have any rights restricted.

I lost my rights for ever because of marijuana charges.

reply to post by 19KTankCommander


Let me get this straight... things are better now compared to 100 years ago - so we should call it "good enough"?
Nope. I say we need to continue to advance.

reply to post by TheTimeIsNow

Wow.. such ignorance is scary. Our rights are illusions?!?!

What intell agency do you work for again???