IJ1981
Member
I ask the question for a friend whose father is a felon convicted of Federal wire fraud 10 years ago. He wants to take his Dad to the range with him without breaking his parole.
Can a Convicted Felon Go to a Firing Range Strictly as a Observer? No Handling or Firing.
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If he was convicted of a felony (there are a couple or three exceptions) punishable by more than one year imprisonment, and the conviction has not been expunged, the answer is NO. The terms of his parole do not enter into it.
I can see how you could be right, but I'm not sure. Could you elaborate? It's not illegal for a felon to go to Cabelas (that I'm aware of). What would be the difference?
dogtown tom
Member
Going to a gun range as a spectator isn't the same as shooting or possessing a firearm. No federal law prohibits spectating.
The terms of his parole most certainly matter IF those terms say who he can associate with or where he can go.
Felons walking the aisles at a gun show is fine right up until they pick one up.
Spectaor? Maybe not. But if he touches a gun...
Possession does not mean ownership.
But we're not talking about possession or ownership. We're talking about him being present at a location where guns are visible. It's not illegal for felons to see guns.
gwpercle
Member
This is Not the place to get that kind of advice ...
You want You-Tube ... plenty of "experts" there ... No , I was only joking about u-tube !!!
You don't want any advice from there either ...
Get the Man some proper Legal advice in his state of residency ...
We don't want to see him get in any trouble over something that might be complicated by state laws .
Gary
You want You-Tube ... plenty of "experts" there ... No , I was only joking about u-tube !!!
You don't want any advice from there either ...
Get the Man some proper Legal advice in his state of residency ...
We don't want to see him get in any trouble over something that might be complicated by state laws .
Gary
Is that what was intended by "taking him to the range"?
Same for all states and territories.
He didn't ask about just "taking him to the range". You missed the "strictly as an observer" part.
dogtown tom
Member
Well, Can a Convicted Felon Go to a Firing Range Strictly as a Observer? No Handling or Firing is the thread title.
A flat "NO!!!" isn't the same as a "Maybe not".
And?????
I think you misunderstood the thread. OP has made it clear that the person would not handle or fire a firearm.
dogtown tom
Member
No, it isn't.
The 3rd Circuit ruled last summer that a conviction for a non violent crime does not make one a prohibited person.
Range v Garland
jrmiddleton425
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His parole officer can still give him a violation even if it isn't illegal per se. He needs to ask his parole officer, not the internet.
armoredman
Member
Have him get with his PO, but generally speaking as long as he doesn't handle or have access to firearms/ammo, shouldn't be a problem, like being 20 feet behind the benches, or in the stands at a match, BUT...as someone who deals with inmates all the time, do NOT play this one by ear. Have him get with his PO.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
I ain't no parole officer (nor attorney), but...
A parole officer is NOT an attorney.
A parole officer is probably supposed to be up to snuff on the actual verbiage of any given person's parole restrictions. So he should be able to speak to that in terms of parole violations.
But not the legal nuances of the actual laws.
Certainly the parole officer should be consulted in the capacity as the parole officer.
But an attorney can speak to the law.
I used to tell my Sailors in the Navy that there are three ways to do anything: the right way, the wrong way, and the smart way.
It's usually pretty clear in most cases whether something is right or wrong. But occasionally you run across a gray area where you really don't know.
That gray area is when you use the smart way. That's when you use your training, knowledge, and resources to chart a path that navigates you to the right way.
(One would think this implies there's also a "stupid way". I don't...as I lump the stupid way under the wrong way.)
Use the proper resources discussed above to get the proper answer.
A parole officer is NOT an attorney.
A parole officer is probably supposed to be up to snuff on the actual verbiage of any given person's parole restrictions. So he should be able to speak to that in terms of parole violations.
But not the legal nuances of the actual laws.
Certainly the parole officer should be consulted in the capacity as the parole officer.
But an attorney can speak to the law.
I used to tell my Sailors in the Navy that there are three ways to do anything: the right way, the wrong way, and the smart way.
It's usually pretty clear in most cases whether something is right or wrong. But occasionally you run across a gray area where you really don't know.
That gray area is when you use the smart way. That's when you use your training, knowledge, and resources to chart a path that navigates you to the right way.
(One would think this implies there's also a "stupid way". I don't...as I lump the stupid way under the wrong way.)
Use the proper resources discussed above to get the proper answer.
BRatigan
Member
If he or she is "on paper", then they would need to talk to their Federal Probation Officer, providing it's a federal offence. Don't know about state by state guidelines. Once off paper the person in question can spectate but not handle. A relief of disabilities would allow their rights to be granted back to them but not for violent ex-cons. However, a bow and arrow can be purchased and used by some ex-cons. My advice is talk to your P.O.
A flat NO is not the answer. As many have already stated it is up to his PO. Arguing with your PO is a recipe to get yourself a date with violating your probation or parole. What DT said in post 7 is true for the most part but there may be POs out there who see differently..,
I did indeed.
But he would have to avoid any situation in which it could be construed that he had access to a firearm. That consitutes possession.
That could be arguable, and it might ebd up as a matter for the courts.
Parole officers do not interpret the law.
That comment has to do with whether the actions would constitute a crime. Revocation of parole is a different issue. serious but not as serious.
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Jonah77
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Maybe it’s me? Honestly, not trying to be harsh, but…
What good could possibly come from it?
In other words…why does this person need to go to a range as an “observer”? What’s the point? Show him a video…take some of your best targets to his house. He’ll get the drift.
Edit to add: Not making a judgement on whether I think the law is fair, or this man’s character. But the law can be a cruel master, and this seems like an unnecessary risk.
What good could possibly come from it?
In other words…why does this person need to go to a range as an “observer”? What’s the point? Show him a video…take some of your best targets to his house. He’ll get the drift.
Edit to add: Not making a judgement on whether I think the law is fair, or this man’s character. But the law can be a cruel master, and this seems like an unnecessary risk.
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RickD427
Member
Two quick diagnostic questions:
1) For those that have responded "NO", can anyone cite what statute would be violated by the felon visiting a range, and without handling a firearm?
2) For those that have responded with some version of "Consult the Parole Officer", given that the federal parole system was abolished in 1987, how is it possible (notwithstanding the text of the OP's question) for a person convicted ten years ago to even have a Parole Officer?
1) For those that have responded "NO", can anyone cite what statute would be violated by the felon visiting a range, and without handling a firearm?
2) For those that have responded with some version of "Consult the Parole Officer", given that the federal parole system was abolished in 1987, how is it possible (notwithstanding the text of the OP's question) for a person convicted ten years ago to even have a Parole Officer?
Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from possessing a firearm. It does not prohibit him from going to a gun range as a spectator. With that said, a quick look at the terms and conditions of his probation or parole. I would have said "consult the parole officer," but just noticed RickD427's post about the abolition of the federal parole system.
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