Did you know that many times, those who have lost the right to gun ownership can have their gun rights reinstated? Under certain circumstances, depending on the state you live in, you may be qualified to restore your gun rights, and purchase a firearm. Is the restoration of your gun ownership rights something you are interested in? Here are some important things to keep in mind.
If you have been charged with a felony or certain misdemeanors, you may have your gun ownership rights permanently taken away. However, sometimes people have been convicted of a crime and yet felonies or misdemeanor convictions on their criminal record are so old they do not accurately represent their current role in society.
Law
In these cases, you should talk to an experienced attorney about the situation. Ask if you are eligible to file a petition with your local county prosecutor or court to restore your firearm rights.
The attorney will look closely at your criminal history. They will evaluate the overall situation to determine if you can regain your right to use or purchase firearms.
Other times, law-abiding citizens are denied the right to purchase a gun, simply because there has been a case of misidentification. This happens usually when the criminal background check system has mistakenly flagged the person with no criminal history with someone who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
If this has happened to you, you know how frustrating it can be. To be prohibited from possessing a firearm despite not being the person convicted is very irritating.
UPIN
Thankfully, people who may have been wrongly denied the ability to buy a firearm can submit an appeal in writing. They can obtain a Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN). This proves that you are who you claim to be and that you can rightfully buy a gun.
To get a UPIN, you will need to fill out a Voluntary Appeal File (VAF) through the FBI. Your attorney will not do this during the rights restoration process. Submit the application, along with copies of your fingerprints, and other materials. This is to validate your identity and can include items such as court records or a birth certificate.
Once you receive confirmation that you have been cleared through the VAF, you will get your UPIN. Then you can go purchase a firearm.
When you find the gun you want to buy, notify the person you’re working with that you have a UPIN. This helps avoid any issues during the background check process. You may still receive a gun delayed response during the background check. However, a UPIN eliminates automatic denials most of the time.
Our team at Sporting Systems has the knowledge, expertise, and firearm selection you can count on, so contact us today or visit our shop. We can help you understand state laws and federal gun laws, Supreme Court rulings, and waiting periods in Washington state. We can also discuss gun control acts that affect your purchase and your right to be an American bearing arms.
