Kelly's disqualification may in fact be unjustified under current law, which bars gun sales to people convicted of felonies but not misdemeanors (except for misdemeanors involving domestic violence). Unless the feds are treating what North Carolina called a misdemeanor as a felony for some reason, Kelly's pot conviction should not be covered by that provision.
right.. if he had more than 1.5grams under NC law that is a Felony.
After 40 years, if it was a felony back then and he has has a clean record since then, he should apply for a pardon. That would clear the recrd where an expugement would not do the job. In today’s political climate, he might get one for simple possession.