I am a convicted felon. I was convicted in March, 99 of a class E felony. That is the lowest possible class of felony. I served my time as the law required, was released and set about to rebuild my life. I held a full time job, paid my child support, paid my taxes, kept my nose clean. I worked 10 years to have a home, earned the love of a wonderful woman, and lead a honest life. The home I have is out in the country. We have 5 horses on our property. We have had to deal with rabid skunks that have actually tried to attack my wife, did attack our golden retreiver, and have been near our horses. My job was a truck driver and I was gone for periods of 20-30 days at a time. Due to my wife being home by herself for long periods, and the rabid skunks and racoons that have been on the property, my wife did purchase a 410 guage shotgun to keep with her. This was my wife's shotgun. I was not sure of what the law was so, I have never used it. If it had to be used to protect our horses, dogs or property, my wife used it. It should be noted that the local sheriff's office has classified me as a non violent offender. Recently, I was ask by a deputy if any guns were in the house. I told the truth that my wife did have a shot gun in the house. I was arrested for possession of a firearm. Now, I face a trial and possible confinment just because my wife wanted to protect herself and our home. The deputy who arrested me clearly stated that if I had just lied and said that there was no gun in the house, he would have had no reason to search and that would have been the end of it. Because I was honest, I go to jail. I do agree that a felon convicted of violence or use of a weapon should not be allowed to have a firearm for a period of time or possibly never again depending on the crime committed. However, why should someone that has gave the US Air Force 9 years of their life, honorably discharged, never charged with anything violent, never charged with using any weapon towards another person, and has shown that they are not a threat to any other citizen, be put thru this abuse of power. It truly is a "Legal" system and not a "Justice" system. What's legal and what's just are not related to each other in this country anymore
I am a convicted felon. I was convicted in March, 99 of a class E felony. That is the lowest possible class of felony. I served my time as the law required, was released and set about to rebuild my life. I held a full time job, paid my child support, paid my taxes, kept my nose clean. I worked 10 years to have a home, earned the love of a wonderful woman, and lead a honest life. The home I have is out in the country. We have 5 horses on our property. We have had to deal with rabid skunks that have actually tried to attack my wife, did attack our golden retreiver, and have been near our horses. My job was a truck driver and I was gone for periods of 20-30 days at a time. Due to my wife being home by herself for long periods, and the rabid skunks and racoons that have been on the property, my wife did purchase a 410 guage shotgun to keep with her. This was my wife's shotgun. I was not sure of what the law was so, I have never used it. If it had to be used to protect our horses, dogs or property, my wife used it. It should be noted that the local sheriff's office has classified me as a non violent offender. Recently, I was ask by a deputy if any guns were in the house. I told the truth that my wife did have a shot gun in the house. I was arrested for possession of a firearm. Now, I face a trial and possible confinment just because my wife wanted to protect herself and our home. The deputy who arrested me clearly stated that if I had just lied and said that there was no gun in the house, he would have had no reason to search and that would have been the end of it. Because I was honest, I go to jail. I do agree that a felon convicted of violence or use of a weapon should not be allowed to have a firearm for a period of time or possibly never again depending on the crime committed. However, why should someone that has gave the US Air Force 9 years of their life, honorably discharged, never charged with anything violent, never charged with using any weapon towards another person, and has shown that they are not a threat to any other citizen, be put thru this abuse of power. It truly is a "Legal" system and not a "Justice" system. What's legal and what's just are not related to each other in this country anymore