FIREARM RESTORATION IN WASHINGTON
Have you lost your right to bear arms because of a felony or domestic violence conviction? Are you interested in restoring your right? Contact Megan Card at 360-352-8311 or meganc@buddbaylaw.com to see if you are eligible to petition to restore your right to bear firearms under RCW 9.41.040.
RESTORING GUN RIGHTS AFTER FELONY CONVICTIONS
In general, if you have spent five or more consecutive years in the community without being convicted of, or currently charged with any felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor crimes, and you don’t have any prior felony convictions that prohibit possession of a firearm, you are eligible to petition to restore your right. In addition, you must have completed all conditions of your sentence (i.e. paid all fines, completed community service and treatment, etc.).
NON-FELONY CONVICTIONS (including domestic violence) FIREARM RESTORATION
The above requirements must also be met, but the time period is reduced to three or more consecutive years.
SEALED JUVENILE RECORDS
Having your juvenile record sealed is not enough to ensure that your right to bear arms is reinstated. Laws change, but court orders do not. It is important that you have your firearm rights restored by a court of law.
The petition must be filed in the court that prohibited possession of firearms (if a superior court) or in the superior court in the county in which you reside. There is a filing fee that must be paid and in Thurston County the fee is $240.00.
Restoring your state firearm rights does not restore your federal rights. Currently, there is no way to restore your federal rights so restoring your state rights is the best you can do. An easier way to understand what this means is to analogize it with Washington’s marijuana laws: in Washington, possession of marijuana (less than 1 oz.) is legal, but federally it is still prohibited. The federal government could charge you with possession, but likely won’t as Washington law allows it. I advise my clients to keep a copy of their order restoring their right to possess firearms with them while they are carrying or hunting.
Contact Megan to ensure that your Constitutional Rights are protected and that your right to keep and bear arms is restored properly.
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