Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
If I was convicted of a felony that was later reduced to a misdemeanor and expunged upon completion of probation, can I legally own a handgun?
3 Answers from Attorneys
I seriously doubt it, but you could try looking up the California Attorney General web site for information on how to submit yourself for a firearms background check.
NO. Absolutely not. Conviction of any felony bars you for life from possessing firearms or ammunition. Expungement does not change that.
I disagree with Mr. Nelson and Mr. Stone. A convicted felon can never own a gun, but California law considers you to be a convicted felon if the offense could only be punished as a felony, or you were sentenced to a federal correctional facility for more than 30 days or to a fine of more than $1000, or both.
If you had the felony reduced to a misdemeanor, and then expunged, it must have been a wobbler. In that particular case, I would have to know what the specific charge was to advise you of when you could own a gun, as some misdemeanors also carry a restriction on firearms ownership in California.
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