Expert: n/a - 8/12/2008

Question
(Florida) In 2006 at the age of 18, I Went Into A Store With 2 ex-Friends of Mine And They Attempted To Steal And Because I Came into the Store with Them I Was Arrested As Well. They Charged Me With A Grand Theft, Felony Of The 3rd Degree. The Public Defender I Was Appointed Told Me To Plead Guilty*And They Would Withhold Adjudication(And He Told Me This Means I'm Not Really Convicted) And Give Me Probation. I Did this Because i Did Not Want To Sit In Jail Because I Supposedly Had A Child On The Way. I Finished My Probation And Have Not Been Convicted of Any Felonies Since. Is It Legal For Me to Own A Firearm Or Do I Have To Wait A Certain Amount Of Time? And Is it Possible To Restore My Gun Possesion Rights and If So, How Would I Go About This?
I live in a violent City and I turn 21 in 3 months and would Like to have a safe home for my girlfriend and daughter. Thank You.

Answer
No, you will not be able to own a firearm until you have your firearm rights restored in the state of Florida.  Go online to Florida Executive Clemency download both applications, restoration of rights and restoration of firearm rights.

This will take about 2 years to receive so you better get on it right away.  After you have all your rights restored you must apply for a firearm permit or you will have problems passing the NICS check when you go to purchase a firearm.  That is done through Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  After you receive the firearm permit you will be able to purchase without the NICS check in Florida.  

Good Luck