Garner Man Challenges Law Forbidding Convicted Felons From Carrying Guns
http://www.wral.com/news/5009236/detail.html

POSTED: 6:39 pm EDT September 22, 2005

GARNER, N.C. -- Barney Britt holds a state record for shooting the third largest deer in North Carolina history. Hunting is his passion.

"It's the challenge of the hunt," Britt said.

But by law, the 46-year-old man from Garner cannot take a shot anymore.

When Britt was 20 years old, he was convicted on a felony drug charge. He served four months in jail; and as a convicted felon, he was not allowed to carry a gun for five years.

He started hunting again in 1987, and for the next 18 years, he said, he was a law-abiding citizen.

But in December of 2004, the state passed a law to conform with federal law, which states that a convicted felon can never again carry a gun.

"I feel like I'm being violated and punished all over again," Britt said.

He said there was no appeals process, so he is suing the state to try to get the right back to hunt.

The lawsuit is now in the hands of the N.C. Attorney General's Office. A spokesperson for the office said it would not comment on pending litigation.

"I think it's a public safety issue," Beth Froehling, public policy specialist with the N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence, which supported the change in state law.

Despite Britt's nonviolent past, Froehling and other proponents of the law said it was just too difficult to pick and choose which convicted felons should carry a gun and which should not.

"Do we want convicted felons to be allowed to have firearms?" Froehling said.

For now, Britt said he has put away his guns. But, he said, he hopes he can trigger a change and hunt once again.

Theres instances when I think a convicted felon should be able to appeal for his Rights to be re-instated.
I wish him the best of luck.

Quoted: Theres instances when I think a convicted felon should be able to appeal for his Rights to be re-instated. I wish him the best of luck.

I tend to lean that way too.  Murderers, rapists, child molesters, no way in hell.  Others, a case by case basis, spend $ on a lawyer, convince a judge, but shouldn't be automatic

Violent felons?  Never again.

Non-violent felons?  Let's say no at first and then let them petition to have firearms ownership restored.

Quoted: Violent felons?  Never again. Non-violent felons?  Let's say no at first and then let them petition to have firearms ownership restored.

Sounds good to me. Somebody convicted of a robbery, murder, sex offense, etc should never own a gun again IMHO. Non violent felonies, prove yourself to be a decent citizen and maybe you get a shot.

If theyre too dangerous to have a gun, why in the hell are they back in society?

Quoted: Quoted: Violent felons?  Never again. Non-violent felons?  Let's say no at first and then let them petition to have firearms ownership restored. Sounds good to me. Somebody convicted of a robbery, murder, sex offense, etc should never own a gun again IMHO. Non violent felonies, prove yourself to be a decent citizen and maybe you get a shot.

Ditto...

And when they come up with these "after the fact laws" it should apply to the date of enactment--------- not going back to when Christ was a corporal...!

I agree with what p331083 said, meaning if their debt to society is paid they should no longer be punished.

My belief is different than most though, because I don't think it's anyone's business whether a free person has a gun or not. There should be no more regulation on buying/selling firearms than there is on clothing. (I don't think anyone should even have to show I.D. to buy guns.)  

Quoted: If theyre too dangerous to have a gun, why in the hell are they back in society?

+1.

And you can petition for your gun/voting rights back, hmmm...how often are those denied, gee I wonder

If you cant handle society and fit into the norm then you simply shouldnt be out of jail. Guns arent the only problem...you can still rape someone, you can still choke someone. If you can be trusted not to hurt people with one object, but not another, then why bother?

Driving isnt a right anymore either, and I could easily kill more people running them down in a truck, than shooting at them, but felons can still buy a Excursion.

If you arent ready to be a 100% law abiding citizen, tough shit you should stay in jail.

i am a fgirm believer that the sentance has been served and he has paid his due or has been rehabilitated he should be able to have all his rigghts as they were before. if we dont think he is able to rejoin society then why is he out?