The problem that I have is that some felonies have no business being felonies. Copying a movie, while a crime, is in no way worthy of depriving a person of their rights for the remainder of their lives.
It is a felony to gamble online in Washington State.
In Texas, it is a felony to own more than 5 dildos.
Smoke pot in your home in Texas- misdemeanor, unless your house is less than 1000 feet from a school (including college), day care, school bus stop, church, or government building, then it is a felony.
So a college kid, being stupid, smokes a joint in his dorm, or owns 6 sex toys, is a felon and has his rights taken away for life? No more voting, hunting, or even protecting his own life? To me, that is insanity.
It is easy for some to say "Don't break the law, then." But really, why not just use that logic to make exceeding the speed limit a felony?
Instead of a blanket law that prohibits felons from EVER owning a gun, why not make it a part of sentencing? Something like:
Nonviolent felony: Loss of gun rights for a period not to exceed 5 years.
Violent felony that does not include a weapon, first offense: Loss of gun rights for a period of not less than 3 years, nor more than 15 years. Second offense: Not less than 10 years, nor more than 25 years
Violent felony involving a weapon: loss of gun rights for a period of not less than 7 years, up to life
In no case will a felon have his firearm rights restored while on probation, parole, or within 1 year of being released from prison.
This makes more sense to me than "zero tolerance" and allows the court to have the punishment fit the crime.