Need to restore your gun rights?
Keith Williams has extensive experience in helping clients restore their gun rights.
Restoring Gun Rights In North Carolina
The consequences of a felony conviction do not end when you are out of prison. Your record follows you and interferes with your life in many ways. Such as preventing you from owning a gun or ammunition. Having a criminal record can prevent you from carrying a firearm, which is a very important freedom in North Carolina.
In some cases, you may be able to regain your right to own a gun. With the Law Offices of Keith A. Williams in Greenville, I represent people who have had state felony convictions in the past. They have since turned their lives around and now wish to carry firearms. My clients include people throughout the state of North Carolina.
Ways To Restore Firearms Rights
The facts about restoring gun rights are some of the key things to know regarding gun law. A Greenville attorney like myself can offer accurate advice, as this is an area of law full of misinformation. There are three ways that I can help you regain your gun rights if you have a North Carolina felony conviction:
- First, Expunge a nonviolent felony conviction. We can apply for expunction 10 years after the end of your active sentence or the end of your probation.
- If you do not qualify for expunction, I may still be able to restore your right to own a gun, even though the conviction will stay on your record. We can apply for restoration of rights 20 years after the end of your active sentence or the end of your probation. You may be eligible for restoration even if you have other marks on your record.
- If numbers one and two are unavailable to you, it may be possible to file a lawsuit asking for your gun rights to be restored. We could argue that as applied to you, the gun ban would be unconstitutional since you have otherwise followed the law, provided for your family, and contributed to your community. While costly, it may be worth pursuing if you have an old, nonviolent felony conviction with a history of law-abiding conduct since the felony conviction but do not qualify for any other relief. Many North Carolinians have utilized this option.
Wrongful Denial of Firearm by FBI
If you applied to buy a firearm and were denied because of a NICS background check, you have the right to appeal to a higher level of the FBI. The normal way to appeal is by submitting a Voluntary Appeal File (VAF).
The problem: the FBI has a backlog that can result in a long delay in processing your VAF. Here’s a link to their website showing the current backlog: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/nics/national-instant-criminal-background-check-system-nics-appeals-vaf
You may have another option. We might be able to file a federal lawsuit under 18 USC § 925A and ask a judge to order the FBI to approve your application. In the right situation, filing a lawsuit can resolve things much faster. And it is not as costly as you might expect.
Restoring gun rights in North Carolina after a felony conviction
Restoring Rights After Involuntary Commitment
A mental health commitment may result in a loss of firearm rights. We can petition to restore your rights. The public interest would be served by granting relief to you, we would contend. If the court agrees, the FBI would remove involuntary commitments from your background check. The procedure is put in place in North Carolina after Congress passed the federal NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007.
Restoring gun rights after a North Carolina involuntary mental health commitment
Limitations On Restoring Gun Rights In North Carolina
Not all convicted felons are eligible for restoration of their gun rights. You cannot get gun rights if:
- You have a federal felony
- You have a state felony in a state other than North Carolina
Many people with convictions in state courts within North Carolina can have their gun rights restored.
Contact An Eastern North Carolina Attorney For A Free Consultation
If you would like to explore the possibility of having your North Carolina firearms possession rights restored, call the Law Offices of Keith A. Williams, P.A., today. You can reach my Greenville office at 252-931-9362 or via email.
Restoring gun rights in North Carolina when you have been denied the ability to purchase a firearm
BOARD-CERTIFIED
Greenville, NC Criminal Defense Attorney
FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Keith Williams is a board-certified specialist in federal and state criminal law.
STATE CRIMINAL DEFENSE
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EXPUNGEMENTS/
EXPUNCTION
Call 252-931-9362 to speak with felony expungement lawyer attorney Keith Williams.
EAST CAROLINA STUDENT CHARGES
If your child was charged with a crime at East Carolina University, contact us for a free consultation.
DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES
Drug crime attorney Keith Williams can defend against a drug or narcotic conviction.
RESTORING GUN RIGHTS
Get help restoring gun rights after being convicted of a crime in North Carolina.
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