Expert: n/a - 2/28/2009

Question
Hello, first let me say this website and your answers are a generous offering to people concerned about their rights.

Back when i was young and stupid...well, i was young and stupid. The situation i was in was not with ill intention, however the circumstances were blown out of proportion and the charges were of extreme nature. I was charged and convicted of a serious offense that explicitly prohibits me from obtaining a concealed carry permit in the state of Connecticut.

However I was only 15 at the time and although i was tried in adult court, i was given Youthful Offender status. I received probation, which was completed after 3 years.

Fast forward 11 years, I am 26 now and have never been arrested, charged, or convicted of anything other than 2 traffic violations.

My problems/questions -

Under youthful offender status my records are sealed and professionals with knowledge of my case are prohibited from even acknowledging to others my case even took place. Through my own efforts i have been able to obtain a state police criminal background check on my name and social security number --- it came back blank/no record on me.

I have not been able to get a cooperative officer to fingerprint me (even though it is within my right) for a fingerprint state check and fingerprint FBI NICS check. That is a whole other story, but it is near impossible without jeopardizing my permit application. Take my word for it.

My question is, under Connecticut YO status my case and details "should" be sealed from public view i know for sure - Is this also shielded from law enforcement officers and background checks run by them? Often times these things tend to slip through the cracks when they shouldnt.

If they are sheilded from L.E.O.s, but something does slip through the cracks... I have no doubt i will be denied my permit, even if the information should have never been found in the first place. ---

I have no plans of listing ANY charges, arrests, or convictions on my application.

My question to you after that is what is my next course of action if im denied on something that should technically not exist?

I know i can appeal, and that would be my first course of action... however if i cannot get my information "sealed" in time for the panel to review my case im sure they will also deny my appeal...

Assuming thats the worst case scenario, When i reapply the permit asks if ive ever been denied an application, what should i write?

I must reiterate the most important question in the case it is missed ... I was given youthful offender status in Connecticut, one of my convictions was one that is explicitly stated in CT application as reason for denial (reckless endangerment), am i still legally able to obtain a concealed carry permit?

Thank you for your advice.

Answer
If you was given Youthful Offender status then you are not restricted from owning a handgun (firearm).  Your records should be sealed from everyone except the Federal Government.  If you apply for a CT. permit and you are denied which you should not be then you can only appeal.  CT is a may issue state unlike shall issue states they look for a reason to deny you a firearm permit.  
There is no law on firearm permits, It is at the discretion of the issuing agency.  You can be turned down from a firearm permit and still pass the NICS check to purchase a firearm as long as your record is clear or you have full restoration of rights for a prior conviction.  I was turned down be CT. for a non-resident permit at their discretion, I have a non-resident permit from both Florida and Virginia.  I hear CT was suppose to change into a shall issue state but until then they will have all power to deny law abiding citizens the right to carry concealed.

You can call Virginia police and say you want to apply for a non-resident permit and explain your Y.O situation, they will run your name and social through their National system check and tell you in 5 minutes if your Y.O is visible on your record. They have done it for me and I received my permit 3 weeks after I applied.  You may want to apply for their non-resident permit it may help you.  If you are turned down for any firearm permit you must list it if asked on any application because that information is public.  

Good Luck

Good Luck