Understanding Firearm Ownership After a Criminal Conviction
Can you own a gun if you’ve been convicted of a crime? Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for almost eight years now, and I want to help you make law easy by talking a little bit about when you can own a firearm if you’ve been convicted of a crime.
So the short answer is sometimes. Essentially, if you’ve been convicted of a felony offense, you cannot own a firearm. That’s just one of the things that come with a felony conviction. You lose the right to own a firearm, vote, and things like that.
Distinction Between Felony and Misdemeanor Convictions
But it’s only for felonies. If you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor offense, regardless of the misdemeanor, that usually is not going to affect your ability to own a firearm. Now, this is why you need to understand what it is you’re charged with and what the implications are before you enter a plea or before you take the case to jury trial.
Convictions do come with certain restrictions, like restrictions on firearms or, as mentioned, the right to vote. Sometimes the terms might include GPS restrictions, such as not being able to travel beyond certain distances or being on house arrest.
Implications and Ramifications of Criminal Charges
Be very aware of what you’re charged with and what the actual ramifications of that charge will be. The convictions themselves and the conditions that come with them absolutely can, and often do, infringe upon your liberties. If you have questions about this, absolutely give us a call.
Low-Cost Initial Strategy Session
My name is Carl Birkhead, and I’m a Tulsa felony attorney with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy. Call us today at 918-879-1681 to schedule a low-cost initial strategy session and discuss your situation. We’re here to guide you through the complexities of legal issues and find a path forward.
