Owning a gun is fantastic. You feel empowered to do pretty much anything. But much like Spider-Man – with great power comes great responsibility!
Roughly 3 in 10 Americans own a gun, and those numbers are likely to underestimate the truth. Having a family rifle you use for hunting or a sidearm for protection is a rite of passage in our country and a fundamental right you lose after committing a felony crime.
Losing the ability to own a firearm, even if you are innocent and live with a felon, can be a massive inconvenience – especially for stress relief. Remember, many people enjoy a stress-releasing experience firing a weapon at a range or local gun club. So, can a felon go to a shooting range?
The answer is both yes and no. If you have been convicted of a felony offense, you are more than welcome to visit a shooting range, gun club, or firing organization, but you cannot possess the firearm. As long as you are not picking up the weapon and doing the shooting, you’re in the clear.
Why Can’t a Felon Own a Firearm?
I’d love to tell you there is some grand conspiracy against felons owning any kind of weapon. Unfortunately, that is not what the numbers say. Around 68% of federal gun offenders get rearrested in under eight years from release compared to only 46% of non-firearm-related crimes.
Like it or not, a felon with a firearm is more dangerous than a non-felon. You will be barred from owning or possessing a firearm by law once you have been deemed “high risk” because of a serious criminal history. The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) enforces this law so the felon meaning can land you in serious hot water.
It all boils down to a law passed in 1934 where the federal government made it illegal for anyone convicted of a felony involving violence to lose their rights. Today, that pretty much extends as a blanket rule to any felon.
Which Firearms Can a Felon Own?
Yes, there are exceptions to the answer: can a felony go to a shooting range? The loopholes apply to bows, crossbows, and . . . antique black powder guns. These are the pistols and rifles that collectors or reenactors can use. They are outside the federal ban, but your local state or city may have an ordinance affecting you, so do your research first.
What Punishment Can Happen for a Felon at a Shooting Range?
Let’s make this as straightforward as possible. If you are a convicted felon found to be purchasing, owning, or handling a modern firearm – you’re screwed. Every law enforcement professional from the ATF to your local high school bully turned sheriff deputy is well aware that a felon with a gun is a “no, no.”
The result of getting caught firing a gun at a shooting range while being a convicted felon is going to be jail time. You don’t get the benefit of the doubt that this is your first offense. You’ve already proven to commit a crime. It is likely that you’ll be arrested and brought up on charges that will result in jail time and expensive fines.
Plus, now you’ll end up with an additional felony conviction on your record for the whole gun thing, making it even harder to find a job, apartment, or vote in another election.
Why a Shooting Range is a Problem for Felons
You may still be thinking that gun ownership is out, but a gun range is harmless, right? Think again. Most shooting ranges will require visitors to show ID for reasons like:
- Age: You may have to be over a certain age based on local regulations for firing any form of weapon on the range.
- Tracking: A lot of shooting ranges like to track client usage to better inform the business of marketing, upcoming events, or demand.
- Background Checks: This one is the kicker. Some, not all, firing ranges will run surface-level background checks for any first-time visitor to their facility. Again, this could be because of local or state compliance or just to avoid having local officers bugging them all the time for questionable practices. In some cases, it is just because their underwriting insurance doesn’t want the risk. Regardless, you don’t want your felony popping up on anyone’s radar.
Wrapping Up
Odds are, if you’re visiting a local shooting range or gun club and live in a rural area, you probably have nothing to worry about. However, all it takes is one little slip-up, and your ass is back in jail.
The best option is to avoid the entire situation altogether. Like an alcoholic wouldn’t go to a bar, you’re better off not visiting a shooting range with a felony conviction. That being said, some states will have ways to restore your civil rights, including owning a firearm. If that is your unique (and extremely lucky) situation, you’re all set.
It is always better to err on the side of caution. You’ve been through enough, and rebuilding your life so you can afford the fun activities that won’t get you into trouble is way more important than a couple of hours firing a Glock.
If you would like to learn more about changing your life after a felony conviction, check out the guide Getting Out: success after incarceration, available on Amazon.
FAQ
Can felons be around gun owners?
Absolutely! If your cousin or best friend is over and has a gun on their person, in their car, or back at home, you’re fine. Felons can be around firearms and gun owners, but the second they try to possess or use a gun, things get sketchy.
What is the charge for a felon to be around a gun?
It is going to change based on where you live. Different states have different rules. In most cases, you’ll be looking at another felony charge, jail time, and probably a fine. If this happens – shut your mouth and hire a lawyer immediately!
Can non-violet felons be around guns?
Again, you can be around guns, but not physically touch them. A felony is a felony. There is no exception if you committed a “white collar crime” or something considered a misdemeanor in a different state. If you are a felon, you cannot own, fire, possess, or handle a firearm.
If you would like to learn more about changing your life after a felony conviction, check out the guide Getting Out: success after incarceration, available on Amazon.
