I see this as a non-starter issue. After a convicted felon has served their time, and ended their probation, it is very common for them to again voluntarily appear before a judge to request “rights restoration.” Under most situations they do not even need a lawyer.
And it is common and the norm that in most cases, in most states, judges will grant this request. This not only includes the right to bear arms, but the right to vote, the right to sit on a jury, and often expungement, or sealing of the records of their trial and conviction at the state level.
Expungement is the hardest to get but still commonly given to all but career criminals, those facing civil lawsuits, document or identity fraud, theft or forgery, and those whose crimes involved permanent registry, like sex offenders.
By far, the most important rights restoration, as far as ex-cons are concerned, is the restoration of gun rights. Often they are willing to forsake restoration of all these other rights, but they are very aware of the importance of self defense.
Yet many, especially violent criminals and repeat offenders, do not bother to even try rights restoration. Thus they are exposed to additional criminal charges if they do obtain a gun.
So the bottom line is that the system is set up pretty wisely, and doesn’t need a whole lot of adjustment, outside of those die-hard, anti-gun states.
You have no clue what you're talking about, you're absolutely wrong regarding 2nd A rights.
Ask Scooter Libby or Gordon Liddy (he used to joke about his wife buying guns).
Once you are convicted of a felony you are entered into a federal data base, states and feds will not grant them back.....even though they do not have the power to take them in the first place.
I see this as a non-starter issue.
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What you are not seeing is that these people must go to a judge and beg for their rights. THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS COUNTRY IS ABOUT.