Don’t Stop Thinking About Opening Day

In North Carolina, we have many things to look forward to with the changing seasons —  cool weather, autumn leaves, fall harvests and football are all just around the corner.  For many of us, fall also signifies the return of hunting season.

North Carolina has plenty of wildlife and game land. Depending on the type of game you hunt and the area in which you do so, licenses and permits will vary. Regardless, to hunt with a firearm, you must always have firearms rights.

Big Time Texas Hunt at Black Gap WMA

In North Carolina, you automatically lose your firearms rights upon conviction of a felony. Firearms rights is defined as, “the legal right in this State of a person to purchase, own, possess, or have in the person’s custody, care, or control any firearm or any weapon of mass destruction as those terms are defined in N.C.G.S. 14-415.1 and N.C.G.S. 14-288.8(c).”

What most people don’t know is that firearms rights can later be restored, under certain circumstances, even after a felony conviction (N.C.G.S. 14-415.4).

Restoration of Firearms Rights Requirements
A person convicted of a nonviolent felony in North Carolina, such as theft or larceny, but who has had their civil rights restored for at least 20 years, may petition the district court in the district where they live to restore their firearms rights.

  • The court may restore a person’s firearms rights if it determines that he or she meets the criteria set out in the Restoration of Firearms Rights statute and is not otherwise disqualified to have this right restored.
  • A person must meet the six requirements outlined in the statute for a court to grant a petition. You can read those here.
  • Finally, the statute lists ten disqualifiers that could deny a firearms rights petition. Find those here.

We might be able to help you or someone you know file a petition for the restoration of firearms rights. Contact our office for a consultation so we can better understand your individual circumstances and offer legal assistance.

As always, stay safe and enjoy this beautiful time of year!