Felons issued gun hunting licenses

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ^ | 31 oct 07 | BEN POSTON

[rellimpank]

Dozens of convicted felons in Wisconsin were issued gun deer hunting licenses in 2006 despite a state law that bans them for life from possessing firearms.

Dozens of felons bought gun deer hunting licenses last year despite laws banning them from possessing firearms. Convicted felons are not asked to disclose their criminal history when seeking a hunting license, and the state has no tracking methods. Rep. Terry Musser (R-Black River Falls) said he will draft legislation requiring criminal background checks on firearm hunting license applicants.

If a felon lies and marks the box stating that he or she is not a felon, it's considered making a false statement, a misdemeanor carrying a one-year jail term. But hunters are basically on the honor system, said Mark Ostermann, researcher for the Maine fisheries and wildlife department.

"We are asking them to attest that they are not a felon, and if they lie on their application the clerk at Wal-Mart won't catch them," Ostermann said. "Does it work? A bad boy is gonna be a bad boy. Does having one more stick to beat them with encourage them to be a good boy? Maybe."

The state, meanwhile, does not prohibit felons from buying gun hunting licenses and makes no effort to monitor if felons are purchasing them, the Journal Sentinel found.

An analysis of records from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and Department of Natural Resources shows that at least 77 felons bought deer licenses last year. The actual number was likely higher because only one of every five Wisconsin hunters consented to release their names when applying for a license.

[rellimpank]

--another tempest in a teapot, attracting the attention of the buffoons who write for newspapers and those who get elected to public office---

[fireforeffect]

Maybe they hunt with bows? Spears (the ones with sharp points, not Britney)? Knifes?

[RedStateRocker]

What’s a “Gun Hunting” license? or a “Gun Deer”.

[Vaquero]

Muzzle loaders are not covered under firearms law nor are bows or crossbows.

[IronJack]

Dozens of felons bought gun deer hunting licenses last year despite laws banning them from possessing firearms.

Possession of a hunting license is not prima facie evidence that the possessor intends to hunt. Nor is it definitive evidence that he is in possession of a firearm. Consequently, the two activities -- owning a hunting license and being a felon -- are completely compatible under law and logic.

[NativeSon]

How can I get in on this “Gun Huntin’ “, all these years I’ve been paying for mine and now I find out they roam the wilds...

[VRWCmember]

Yes, but how many felons register to vote democrat in Wisconsin?

[Tenacious 1]

How about arresting the felons?

Typical Wisconsin! Let’s make everybody else responsible for the actions of despots. Besides, has anyone actually proved that these felons used the hunting licenses with firearms? What if they went hunting with slingshots, stones or sticks?

How far should they take this? Should they investigate the people they ride in cars with? Should they investigate roomates? Should they make sure no one in a building has a firearm that they might patronize? I'm not advocating felon rights. I just don't think an additional burden should be placed on the public bacuase government can't do their job.

[Wonder Warthog]

Unfortunately, it is a Republican pushing this. I see nothing wrong with a felon going hunting with a borrowed firearm. In fact, I'd like to see the Lifetime no-ownership of guns dropped completely, at least for first offenders. If you screw up once, you should be able to make restitution and regain all your citizenship rights, including gun ownership.

"Some" criminals actually "do" get "re-habilitated". Admittedly, the number is small, but it "does" happen.

[rellimpank]

—one you don’t use a bow and arrows with or for-—

[2harddrive]

If they are an adult trustworthy enough to be released from jail/prison, they are trustworthy enough to own a gun, in my opinion. If they are THAT likely to misuse it, then LOCK’EM UP!

[CholeraJoe]

I see nothing wrong with a felon going hunting with a borrowed firearm.

A felon in possession of a firearm is a felony itself. It doesn't have to be owned. At the extreme, a felon who fondles a shotgun at a gunshow is breaking the law.

[rellimpank]

—I agree with both of you—

[CodeToad]

Considering that the government is trying to make us all felons, who cares? What type of felon? A violent criminal or someone whose wife during the divorce claimed he hit her to try to win custody of the kids?

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

On point: My daughter has a driver’s license but does not possess a car.

[Red6]

Define felon (as in what crimes)

Define hunting license (for what, using what)

—

This sounds more like another subversive attempt at media shock and awe; attacking the second amendment in the name of security and public safety from behind a facade of legitimate concern and objectivity.

[rellimpank]

—exactly—

[Wonder Warthog]

"A felon in possession of a firearm is a felony itself. It doesn't have to be owned. At the extreme, a felon who fondles a shotgun at a gunshow is breaking the law."

Oh, I'm well aware of what the law is---I just think it goes too far.

[ought-six]

Getting a deer permit is light years away from possessing a gun.

[Proverbs 3-5]

Demoncrats don't want felons to have guns but they do want them to get their right to vote restored...