Can a convicted felon go to a gun range? Legally, no. 18 U.S. Code § 922 – Legally, felons may have restrictions on visiting gun ranges.
While some states allow convicted felons to retain certain firearms rights for recreational shooting at a range, it’s essential to check the laws of your specific state.
Conducting a criminal background check is typically required for range access, which can be initiated with basic personal information such as name, address, and date of birth. However, having a social security number may facilitate the process.
If you were once a convicted felon and have questions about going to a shooting range or owning a firearm in Indiana, please reach out to the Indianapolis criminal defense lawyers at Eskew Law.
- Could Visiting a Shooting Range End Up Landing You in Prison?
- Can a Convicted Felon Get Their Gun Rights Back in Indiana?
- Eligibility Criteria and Steps for Expungement to Restore Gun Rights in Indiana
- When Can a Felon Regain the Right to Carry a Gun in Indiana? What About a Rifle?
- Can You Go to a Shooting Range If You Have an Expunged Felony in Indiana?
- Do Gun Ranges Run Background Checks in Indiana? Why Do They Ask for ID?
- Seeking to Restore Your Gun Rights? Contact Eskew Law Today.
- Where You Can Find Our Indianapolis Office
Could Visiting a Shooting Range End Up Landing You in Prison?
Simply put, felons lose their gun rights upon conviction, as well as many other civil rights. You do not have to own a gun to violate laws against possession. You just have to exercise control of one. So, even renting or borrowing a gun to use at the shooting range is illegal if you have a felony conviction. It is not worth the risk to go to a gun range if you have a felony conviction. Law enforcement who may be at the range for their own purposes could recognize you, or the gun range could become suspicious of you and call the police. If you are a felon and go to a shooting range, you could end up in prison.Can a Convicted Felon Get Their Gun Rights Back in Indiana?
Yes. The government will restore your gun rights if you go through a process known as expungement. Expungement is the procedure for getting a felony removed from your record. Although the record of it still technically exists, it is as if the felony did not happen. As a result, expungements can exponentially improve the quality of your life.Eligibility Criteria and Steps for Expungement to Restore Gun Rights in Indiana
Generally, you meet the requirements for expungement in Indiana if you meet the waiting period requirements and are not convicted of a crime during the waiting period. You cannot receive an expungement if your felony conviction was for homicide or voluntary or involuntary manslaughter. A person classified as a sex or violent offender under Indiana law is not eligible for expungement. In addition, convictions for two or more separate incidents involving the use of deadly weapons will disqualify you from expungement. There are different waiting periods and conditions based on the seriousness of the felony conviction. For most Class D or level 6 felonies, the waiting period is eight years from the date of conviction. For other non-serious felonies, the waiting period is also eight years, although it must have been at least three years since the end of your sentence. Serious felonies have a ten-year waiting period, and it must have been at least five years since you completed your sentence. Other requirements include:- Paying court costs, fines, and restitution;
- Having no charges currently filed against you; and
- Having no additional convictions during the waiting period.
Contact the criminal defense lawyers at Eskew Law.
