Pam Bondi may in fact be on our side

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

This is meant to be informative, NOT political, so please treat it as such. (I've gotten a couple threads pulled by my commentary, I don't want this to be another).

From Breitbart: "Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a rule Wednesday reversing the ATF’s decades-long ban against the restoration of gun rights." “Because of an amendment by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) in 1992, ATF has been prohibited from restoring gun rights for the last 32 years!”

She's reversing this. 

 

Full story here: https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2025/03/19/ag-pam-bondi-issues-rule-reversing-atf-prohibition-on-restoration-of-gun-rights/

[Badlands Bob #61228]

I assume this is in reference to a felony conviction where the person loses their rights to a firearm?  I have mixed feelings about this one.

[John Kloehr]

I plan to look at this closer soon. If part of legislation, this will may only invite a court challenge.; What I have been mostly waiting on is a complete list of recommendations per Trump's executive order regarding the 2nd amendment. We are at about the 30 day point for those recommendations.

 

I do note this involves restoration of 2nd Amendment rights for non-violent felonies and also keep in mind misdemeanor domestic violence (not a felony, should it be?) causes loss of gun rights. Anyway, could Trump himself regain his gun rights at the Federal level and if so, could he still lose them in New York as a matter of States Rights?

 

Complicated, but about time to take a closer look.

Edited March 20 by John Kloehr

[John Kloehr]

And as to Pam Bondi, she is absolutely on the side of her paycheck. She did so for Florida and did the best job she could. She now has a new boss. This post/comment is that she is clearly a competent litigator and her personal opinion may not be a factor in her position on any particular issue. So that does leave open the question as to what she herself believes. I would like to know the answer to this question.

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

4 minutes ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

I assume this is in reference to a felony conviction where the person loses their rights to a firearm?  I have mixed feelings about this one.

 

2 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

I do note this involves restoration of 2nd Amendment rights for non-violent felonies

This is what I'm thinking too. While I can understand and agree that violent Felons shouldn't get their Rights back, it makes no sense, (to me), that somebody convicted of a white collar, PAPER Felony, not have their Rights restored. 

 

2 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

And as to Pam Bondi, she is absolutely on the side of her paycheck. 

So that does leave open the question as to what she herself believes. 

I would of course, like to think that ANY LEO, including Political LEOs, should understand that honest gun owners are NO threat to anybody that means them no harm. However, as long as their BOSS thinks like that, and governs like that, it's not as important to me.

[Texas Joker]

Until '68 ALL felons had their 2a rights restored.

 

Prohibition fails the historical context test.

 

If they are incapable of living in society don't let em out. Otherwise why shouldn't they be able to protect themselves like everybody else.

 

Debt to society paid restore their civil rights.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I believe non violent felons should have their gun rights restored. Pam Bondi is definitely our friend. Good for her🇺🇸

[Badlands Bob #61228]

Non Violent.  Like burglars, car thieves, drug dealers etc?

[Subdeacon Joe]

50 minutes ago, Texas Joker said:

If they are incapable of living in society don't let em out. Otherwise why shouldn't they be able to protect themselves like everybody else.

 

Debt to society paid restore their civil rights.

 

I would phrase it something like "No longer under supervision."   That is, any mandated reporting,  check ins, etc.  

 

 

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

1 hour ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

Non Violent.  Like burglars, car thieves, drug dealers etc?

I'll use me as a For Instance, though the State of Georgia already reinstated my Rights. 

Many years ago, my first wife and I wanted to adopt a baby. We were Stationed in Georgia at the time. We placed an ad in a local free paper stating such, and that finances would be paid by us. NOT that we wanted to "buy" a baby, but that we would pay medical expenses. Well Cobb County Georgia chose to read it that we WERE trying to buy a baby. They even extrapolated that we were STEALING babies and selling them. We weren't. We were arrested and charged with I can't even remember what now. But we were supposed to be Tried in 3 or 4 months. So we waited. And waited. And WAITED. The Charges were changed, and changed, and changed AGAIN. They finally settled for charging us with "Making an Illegal Advertisement" or some such. A felony. We didn't do any Time, except for the Time we did after Arrest before we Bailed out. 

But it cost us several Thousand dollars, my Marine Corps career, and our Rights. And we were Convicted under Georgia's "First Time Offenders Act", under which if successfully completed, our Conviction would be , the best I can explain it, on "hold" as long as we didn't commit another Felony. Our Jail Time would also be "put on hold", but would be reinstated if we did anything else.

 We were put on 3 years Probation, and allowed to leave the State as long as we filled out our Monthly Reports. We didn't even have a Probation Officer to report to, just mail in the Reports.

At the end of that time,  under the "First Time Offenders Act", our Rights would be restored. 

we did so, and I've lived as honest a life since then as I had before. The stress of the whole thing, I think, contributed to my wife's death 4 years later.

The whole reason for this story is that we NEVER committed a violent act towards another, weren't thieves, nor were we Druggies. Thanks to Georgia's Laws, I've been able to live a free life these last 35 years, but in another State, I might not have been able to. I see no reason that others similarly Convicted shouldn't have the same opportunity. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

9 hours ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said:

Non Violent.  Like burglars, car thieves, drug dealers etc?

It would depend on the situation. One time car thief that did his time and has had a clean record for say 10 yrs yes! Drug dealer that’s cleaned up his act and a burglar the same then yes. Rehabilitated criminals. 

[Eyesa Horg]

7 hours ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

I'll use me as a For Instance, though the State of Georgia already reinstated my Rights. 

Many years ago, my first wife and I wanted to adopt a baby. We were Stationed in Georgia at the time. We placed an ad in a local free paper stating such, and that finances would be paid by us. NOT that we wanted to "buy" a baby, but that we would pay medical expenses. Well Cobb County Georgia chose to read it that we WERE trying to buy a baby. They even extrapolated that we were STEALING babies and selling them. We weren't. We were arrested and charged with I can't even remember what now. But we were supposed to be Tried in 3 or 4 months. So we waited. And waited. And WAITED. The Charges were changed, and changed, and changed AGAIN. They finally settled for charging us with "Making an Illegal Advertisement" or some such. A felony. We didn't do any Time, except for the Time we did after Arrest before we Bailed out. 

But it cost us several Thousand dollars, my Marine Corps career, and our Rights. And we were Convicted under Georgia's "First Time Offenders Act", under which if successfully completed, our Conviction would be , the best I can explain it, on "hold" as long as we didn't commit another Felony. Our Jail Time would also be "put on hold", but would be reinstated if we did anything else.

 We were put on 3 years Probation, and allowed to leave the State as long as we filled out our Monthly Reports. We didn't even have a Probation Officer to report to, just mail in the Reports.

At the end of that time,  under the "First Time Offenders Act", our Rights would be restored. 

we did so, and I've lived as honest a life since then as I had before. The stress of the whole thing, I think, contributed to my wife's death 4 years later.

The whole reason for this story is that we NEVER committed a violent act towards another, weren't thieves, nor were we Druggies. Thanks to Georgia's Laws, I've been able to live a free life these last 35 years, but in another State, I might not have been able to. I see no reason that others similarly Convicted shouldn't have the same opportunity. 

Wow, 

[Still hand Bill]

1 hour ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

It would depend on the situation. One time car thief that did his time and has had a clean record for say 10 yrs yes! Drug dealer that’s cleaned up his act and a burglar the same then yes. Rehabilitated criminals. 

Provided no force was used in those crimes, I might be ok with that.  If you committed a car jacking, home invasion, nope.  

[Rye Miles #13621]

2 hours ago, Still hand Bill said:

Provided no force was used in those crimes, I might be ok with that.  If you committed a car jacking, home invasion, nope.  

I know a guy that went into a house with another dude that was being remodeled. No one was living there. They were caught taking a microwave out of the house. Felony!!! That was 30 years ago and he’s been a good tax paying citizen ever since. He did a few weeks in jail and was released. He can’t own a gun. This is an example of someone who should get his gun rights restored in MHO.

[Eyesa Horg]

There's a lot of scenarios out there. After you've done your punishment I think there should at least be an avenue for review to get your rights back. Violent felonies, not so much!

[Blackwater 53393]

Everyone should probably be given an opportunity to petition for the restoration of their rights.  There should be strict guidelines established and limits to which rights may be restored for different felony convictions. 
 

I don’t think that restoration should be allowed for those who were convicted of crimes that could warrant capitol punishment.

[Subdeacon Joe]

First,  one of my peeves....there is no such thing as " gun rights." We don't say "free speech rights," or "assembly rights."  "Gun rights" makes it sound like something other than a civil right.  If you must, "Second Amendment Civil Rights."

 

Second, a guy,  maybe 18, has been partying,  on his way home he stops and takes leak behind some bushes.   Someone sees him, reports him to the police.   He's arrested,  convicted of public indecency.  Felony conviction AND  is now a registered sex offender.  (Alternatively,  16 year old guy gets caught in flagrante with his 17 year old girlfriend,  gets convicted of statutory.)  Should they get their civil rights restored?

 

Third, my opinion is that unless it is explicitly called out in the sentencing all civil rights should automatically be restored upon completion of sentence.   No matter the crime.  No having to petition the courts, no having to fill out forms.  Parole/probation officer reports that the person has completed all the conditions and time on whatever kind of supervision,  sends notice to the appropriate authority,  the person gets a letter a week later verifying that all rights are restored. 

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

9 hours ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Wow, 

Yeah. When we were in the process of being arrested, and the Officers saw what was really happening, they actually apologised for having to do so. I always suspected that there was a Deputy D.A. looking to make a name for himself over this, but we got out of Georgia so fast that I never got the chance to ask.