Expert: n/a - 4/3/2009

Question
When I was 16 I was charged with Felony Menacing with a deadly weapon. An arizona iced tea bottle in my jacket pocket during a lunchroom scuffle in high school was sufficient to land me that. Now, 8 years later, I am wanting to go hunting with my father in law. When I went and ran a NICS, I was denied. This is confusing because I was under the impression that juvenile felonies did not make you lose your rights? I am still able to vote so I was under the impression that i'm ok. Are the rules different since I have a violent felony? What, if anything, can I do to restore my gun rights? I live in colorado if that changes anything.

Thank you in advance - Andrew T.

Answer
Did you try getting a firearm permit first.  Usually a convicted felon with restored rights or Juvenile convictions must get a firearm permit first before purchasing a firearm.  According to federal laws you are not restricted from firearms. But every state has their additional restrictions.  You may have to wait til your conviction has a 10 year lapse since release of Supervision not from the date of conviction. And or you may have to appeal the NICS decision as well.  

Being cleared to vote does not mean you have firearm rights.

If these things come out unsuccessful you will have to apply for full restoration of rights in the state of conviction. Meaning the right to vote, Jury Duty and hold public office with no restrictions.
Then you will be cleared to purchase a firearm according to federal laws.  There are some states that do not recognize restored rights for fiearms such as North Carolina. If that is the case in Colorado you will need a full Pardon or relocate to a shall issue state if possible.

Good Luck