Can a Convicted Felon Go to a Firing Range Strictly as a Observer? No Handling or Firing.

Broadly speaking, the answer is NO. He's flirting with disaster. It must have been a serious class felony if he's still on parole (or maybe you mean probation) ten years later. And if he's still on probation he must have done prison time not that long ago.

Ask the parole/probation officer. States differ in how they see things. Some free states like Indiana ignore Federal law if it wasn't a violent felony. He could even own a gun in Indiana, but he wouldn't be able to buy one through an FFL. I don't know about Florida.

Beck said:

Broadly speaking, the answer is NO. He's flirting with disaster. It must have been a serious class felony if he's still on parole (or maybe you mean probation) ten years later. And if he's still on probation he must have done prison time not that long ago.

Ask the parole/probation officer. States differ in how they see things. Some free states like Indiana ignore Federal law if it wasn't a violent felony. He could even own a gun in Indiana, but he wouldn't be able to buy one through an FFL. I don't know about Florida.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure it's accurate to say they "ignore Federal law if it wasn't a violent felony". Rather, they probably have ways of dealing with non-federal felony convictions within their own state.

Either way, we'd have to treat each case on its own merits, as we cannot speak broadly on this with any meaning applicable to the OP.

BOTTOM LINE:

- Obtain an actual copy of the parole conditions set by the parole board and the court in order to see exactly what the parole terms are in writing.

- Obtain the services of an attorney for specific legal questions and answers with respect to the laws on this.

In the meantime...prudence is the byword.

One of the things "we" do not have in this discussion is whether the Judge placed any additional restrictions during sentencing.

There can be any number (including none) of additional conditions applied to the sentence. Which can include things like where the convict can congregate and who or whom they can associate with, and restrictions of locations and activities.

Persons found guilty of compute fraud can be barred from access to computers for some time period. Or to not associate with certain other people.

None of which is written into Statute, and is withing the discretion of the sentencing judge.

So, we will not know these things. We might suppose that the guilty party's probation officer would know such things, if they still are under such supervision.
Further, the convict ought know what instructions they were left with upon sentencing and or termination of parole.

Really, this is Asked and Answered, and easily 20 posts ago.

Kleanbore said:

Title 18, Section 922(g) of the U.S. Code prohibits the possession of a firearm for life in the event conviction for any felony, other than a small handful, that is punishable by more than one year imprisonment, Tta includes actual possession--which includes handling a firearm--and constructive possession.

The latter involves knowingly being in a place where the person can acquire a firearm.. Lack of intent is a defense, but I would not want to try that one after having intnially got to a place where there are funs,

Some time ago, we were advised towithwr put every forearm in a safe or not allow family member who was a convicted felon who know we had guns to come into the house.

Enforcement by state authorities is not the issue.

Click to expand...

It is an issue. Some states like Indiana, for example, will not permit state, county, or municiple law enforcement to enforce federal law regarding 2A issues... if the felony is non-violent. If the poor sap has the misfortune of encountering Federal law enforcement agents, well that's another story.

RetiredUSNChief said:

I'm not sure it's accurate to say they "ignore Federal law if it wasn't a violent felony". Rather, they probably have ways of dealing with non-federal felony convictions within their own state.

Either way, we'd have to treat each case on its own merits, as we cannot speak broadly on this with any meaning applicable to the OP.

Click to expand...

People are moving to states like Indiana and Iowa from nanny states like Illinois for the very reason that they are 2A friendly states. It doesn't matter to Indiana which state the felony offense occurred. You would have to move and become a citizen of Indiana. My point was that the country is dividing up into 2A friendly states and 2A unfriendly states. I made it a point to say I don't know how Florida operates in a case like this. I do know how Indiana operates if you become a citizen of Indiana.

Beck said:

People are moving to states like Indiana and Iowa from nanny states like Illinois for the very reason that they are 2A friendly states. It doesn't matter to Indiana which state the felony offense occurred. You would have to move and become a citizen of Indiana. My point was that the country is dividing up into 2A friendly states and 2A unfriendly states. I made it a point to say I don't know how Florida operates in a case like this. I do know how Indiana operates if you become a citizen of Indiana.

Click to expand...

I would need to see where Indiana has said they will not enforce federal felony laws with respect to non-violent federal felony convictions. If you have any references, I'd be interested in reading them.

I've yet to find anything which says what you claim with respect to Indiana not enforcing federal felony conviction prohibitions with respect to non-violent felonies.

IJ1981 said:

I should have taken more time and gotten all the facts before putting up the OP. Mea culpa

Click to expand...

Meh...that's just another High Road thing!

Kleanbore said:

Title 18, Section 922(g) of the U.S. Code prohibits the possession of a firearm for life in the event conviction for any felony, other than a small handful, that is punishable by more than one year imprisonment, Tta includes actual possession--which includes handling a firearm--and constructive possession.

The latter involves knowingly being in a place where the person can acquire a firearm.. Lack of intent is a defense, but I would not want to try that one after having intnially got to a place where there are funs,

Some time ago, we were advised towithwr put every forearm in a safe or not allow family member who was a convicted felon who know we had guns to come into the house.

Enforcement by state authorities is not the issue.

Click to expand...

You have a good citation to 18USC992, and to your point that "Possession" can also include "Constructive Possession", But "Constructive Possession" cannot be established simply by being in a place where a firearm could be acquired. It is still necessary for the prosecution to show that defendant had the "power and intent to control the object" (please refer to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Henderson v U.S.). It the circumstances described by the O.P., the felon visiting the range does not have the "power" to control any firearms and thus, there is no "Constructive Possession."

At some areas, a public rifle or pistol range is about the best place to unexpectedly find yourself next to a police officer, parole agent, judge, etc. ... "Hey, don't I recognize you, aren't you so-and-so with the ten year parole?"

Took the time to read through all the posts in this thread and came to the conclusion that both referrals to a competent attorney and contact with the probation officer (or equivalent in the federal system)... are probably good advice. That attorney for the actual laws where the individual resides (states differ on various points but rarely on substance...) and whoever is responsible for any parole or probation (it's entirely possible for an individual to be placed back in custody without any specific law being broken.... so that contact is quite important if you want to remain free until they've cleared parole or probation...).

On a personal note, once or twice during my years as a cop I came into contact with someone as an adult that I'd dealt with as a kid or very young adult. The ones that straightened themselves out and were living a good life, with job, family, etc. were always a high point for me. Can't say I ever thought that the justice system had that much to do with it though, when it occurred..

A gun shop/ range I go to in PA has it clearly posted on their door that felons are not to enter.

Beck said:

Some free states like Indiana ignore Federal law if it wasn't a violent felony. He could even own a gun in Indiana, but he wouldn't be able to buy one through an FFL. I don't know about Florida.

Click to expand...

First, states don't have the authority to enforce federal law. Never have.
Second, Indiana sure as heck will drop a dime to ATF/DEA/FBI on any felon they find with a firearm. It's leverage to get the accused to plead out to state charges.
Thirdly, believe that Indiana or any other state that has a law exempting their residents from federal law is not just foolish, but ignorant. Google "Supremacy Clause".

dogtown tom said:

First, states don't have the authority to enforce federal law. Never have.
Second, Indiana sure as heck will drop a dime to ATF/DEA/FBI on any felon they find with a firearm. It's leverage to get the accused to plead out to state charges.
Thirdly, believe that Indiana or any other state that has a law exempting their residents from federal law is not just foolish, but ignorant. Google "Supremacy Clause".

Click to expand...

That is incorrect. Indiana will not bring in federal law enforcement agencies unless the person uses a gun in a crime. If he's minding his own business in his own residence, or at a shooting range, or a friend's property with an unofficial shooting range. Indiana law enforcement doesn't demand to see ze papers, they leave people alone unless they catch them in a crime.

Even Illinois has a patchwork of of enforcement because several county sheriffs are refusing to enforce the new Illinois AWB.

It doesn't matter if you don't like it. That's the way it is. End of story.

From what I understand is that a firearm can not be accesable to the felon.

Some appear to think being on parole means you can’t do A, B and C. But in reality it can mean you can’t do do A, B , C, S, T, and Z. The conditions can be oddly specific in addition to the standard terms.
Checking with the supervising officer is the best option.

Beck said:

That is incorrect. Indiana will not bring in federal law enforcement agencies unless the person uses a gun in a crime.

Click to expand...

Dude...... that's exactly what I wrote.

If he's minding his own business in his own residence, or at a shooting range, or a friend's property with an unofficial shooting range. Indiana law enforcement doesn't demand to see ze papers, they leave people alone unless they catch them in a crime.

Click to expand...

No kidding? You mean Indiana does exactly what the rest of the states do? Unbelievable. We should all move to Indiana.

It doesn't matter if you don't like it. That's the way it is. End of story.

Click to expand...

That's what she said.