[VoteHarryBrowne2000]

There are a few ideas on this thread that caught my attention. The way the laws are written, ones I'm aware of, there is no time limit or expiry date once convicted, hence the problem with many "ex" felons and gun or voting rights. Over the past century, the government has grown in many ways including more and more "felony" crimes being on the books so we have more and more felons in this country. Most states have a pardon process that you can go through or a way to have your crimes expunged. Ultimately, it is up to the offender to know their status and take appropriate steps to change it if they deem it necessary.

On the concepts of rights, there are two competing ideas on where rights originate. One says that the government "grants" rights and the other says that they are "inalienable" rights granted by the Creator. Which side you come down on has a big influence on how you view these issues.

[Eagle Eye]

One says that the government "grants" rights and the other says that they are "inalienable" rights granted by the Creator. Which side you come down on has a big influence on how you view these issues.

Nobody can make a credible case to me that the government grants rights. Even the Constitution denies that it grants rights.

Why one right is singled out is apparently an attempt to disarm as many people as possible by any means possible. A felon's family is also essentially denied the possession of firearms as well.

[templar]

Which side you come down on has a big influence on how you view these issues.

No sensible person would argue that anyone has the Right to keep and bear arms while in prison. Therefore it isn't a question of whether or not a right can be taken away by the government, it is a question of if, when, and how that right is restored. This is a matter of law and is addressed by legislation. State laws will vary on this matter, but the Federal law is the one that ends up overruling all others. There are procedures for restoring your gun rights on the Federal level, and one can always change States if he cannot do so on the State level. Own a gun without following these rules if you are a Felon and you will risk the penalty that this man has received. Even if your Felony shouldn't have been a felony at all, or maybe even illegal at all.