Utah Fire Arm Rights
WHAT IS EXPUNGEMENT AND WHO NEEDS IT?
The word "expunge" means to erase or wipe clean. The process recognizes that people who have done something wrong and have been punished can change for the better. It validates the concept of repentance. Unfortunately there are some who think gun owners shouldn't be given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Sarah Brady, the infamous anti-gunner, recently cited a study showing that people who had been convicted of misdemeanors were more inclined to commit violent crimes than those who have a "squeaky clean" record. She reportedly stated that some misdemeanants or "perhaps even all" should be restricted from purchasing or possessing a handgun! Utah lawmakers have been encouraged to eliminate the process of cleansing one's criminal record or "expungement" as it is known in the Utah Code. This article discusses the process of expungement and who qualifies. Gun owners with criminal records should have their records expunged while this legal process is still available to them.
Expungement is described in detail in sections 77-18-10 through 17 of the Utah Code.
CRIMES THAT CANNOT BE EXPUNGED
The following crimes cannot be expunged:
1. Capital felonies,
2. First degree felonies,
3. Second degree forcible felonies,
4. Sexual acts against minors.
OTHER CONDITIONS THAT MAKE A PERSON INELIGIBLE FOR EXPUNGEMENT
1. Conviction of two or more felonies (that don't arise out of a single criminal episode).
2. A person who has already expunged a felony.
3. A person who has already expunged 2 or more misdemeanors unless they are class B or C misdemeanors and at least 15 years has lapsed since the convictions
4. A person convicted of three or more criminal offenses more serious than a class C misdemeanor (not arising out of a single criminal episode), including those previously expunged, regardless of where the expungement occurred.
5. A person with a criminal offense pending against him or her.
Basically as long as you don't fall into any of those catagories then the law reads:
750.224F POSSESSION OF A FIREARM BY PERSON CONVICTED OF A FELONY SHALL NOT POSSESS, USE, TRANSPROT, SELL, PURCHASE, CATTY, SHIP, RECIEVE, OR DISTRIBUTE A FIREARM IN THIS STATE UNTIL THE EXPIRATION OF 3 YEARS AFTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST.
(4)This section does not apply to a conviction that has been expunged or set aside, or for which the person has been pardoned, unless the expunction, order, or pardon expressly privides that the person shall not possess a firearm.
I learned this due to the fact that I made a mistake when I was 18 and was charged and convicted of a 2nd degree felony for possession of drugs. I am now about to graduate university as a criminal justice forensic scientist, a LEGAL gun owner, and go hunting every year. SOME OF US DO LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES!!!!