imported post
Dreamer--one small, but potentially relevant change in the statute as of a few years ago is the possession in one's own home/workplace. The revised statute does not allow for such an exception. This was pulled from NCGS website today:
§ 14‑415.1. Possession of firearms, etc., by felon prohibited.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person who has been convicted of a felony to purchase, own, possess, or have in his custody, care, or control any firearm or any weapon of mass death and destruction as defined in G.S. 14‑288.8(c). For the purposes of this section, a firearm is (i) any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, or its frame or receiver, or (ii) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer. This section does not apply to an antique firearm, as defined in G.S. 14‑409.11.
Every person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished as a Class G felon.
(b) Prior convictions which cause disentitlement under this section shall only include:
(1) Felony convictions in North Carolina that occur before, on, or after December 1, 1995; and
(2) Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 487, s. 3, effective December 1, 1995.
(3) Violations of criminal laws of other states or of the United States that occur before, on, or after December 1, 1995, and that are substantially similar to the crimes covered in subdivision (1) which are punishable where committed by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
When a person is charged under this section, records of prior convictions of any offense, whether in the courts of this State, or in the courts of any other state or of the United States, shall be admissible in evidence for the purpose of proving a violation of this section. The term "conviction" is defined as a final judgment in any case in which felony punishment, or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, as the case may be, is permissible, without regard to the plea entered or to the sentence imposed. A judgment of a conviction of the defendant or a plea of guilty by the defendant to such an offense certified to a superior court of this State from the custodian of records of any state or federal court shall be prima facie evidence of the facts so certified.
Thus, it makes it illegal for anyone ever convicted of a felony to own or possess a firearm period, even if it is on their own property. So, for those of you who have a blemish on your record, you could be charged for protecting your own property. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about keeping firearms out of the wrong people's hands, but there are current law-abiding citizens that screwed up once in the past that cannot legally keep a firearm at their home (though, in some cases, expungement/pardoning and/or petitioning ATF for reinstatement of your right to bear arms may be pursued). I believe that change *may* have been made in the 2004 adjustments???
Keep up the good reconnaissance! We all appreciate it!