1-31-06 Lautenberg Sentence - 3yrs Proba
Written by cketchum on 2006-02-10 12:37:55
Hello again!
Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I got 3 yrs probation with early termination in one year. It could have been much worse... 37-48 months in prison for the number of guns in my collection.
What was amazing was that the US Attorney with the ATF&E agent at his side was actually defending me rather than prosecuting! In 50 years of standing before Federal Court, my attorney (Walter Gerash) had never seen anything like it. Everyone in the courtroom seemed to be on my side.
God was certainly looking down on me that day!
After sentencing the investigating officer of the Colorado Jefferson County Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force told me I could (have a friend) strip the weapons before destruction! That means I can recoup perhaps $10K in optics, mounts, bolt and trigger groups, bipods, stocks, barrels, grips, cylinders, magazines, etc.
It is a damn shame as they are all quite valuable and beautiful firearms, one a family heirloom... 1878 S&W Schofield .45 that belonged to Col. William F. Chapman, 2nd in command to Col. Moseby during the Civil War.
It seems some in our judicial system and some in LE understand Lautenberg is unjust. But one can only pray that it will be repealed... I've waited 13 years to no avail.
Now it's down the pardon path (3 years after probation), both for the original misdemeanor and the felony. Where is Bill Clinton when I need him? Just kidding - I'd rather give up my rights than see him or Hillary in office again!
**** This is what I now include with any employment application, and even that may not help. Nowadays background checks are the norm or at least the box you must check "Have you have ever been convicted."
Re: Static (Victimless) offense
Hello,
I only ask that you read this letter before passing judgment. The people that know me know of my honesty, integrity, lawfulness and professionalism. I was sentenced to probation for a felony on 31 January 2006: Possession of a Ruger .22 caliber target rifle by a prohibited person.
In 1993 I accepted a misdemeanor charge involving the discipline of my rebellious, runaway, teenaged son rather than to drag him through a jury trial for something my attorney assured me would not have any impact on my ability to own a firearm.
In 1996, the infamous Lautenberg Amendment became law. Simply stated: Anyone found guilty of domestic violence, (ever in their life) automatically loses their 2nd amendment rights. As a layman, this change in the law did not seem fair. I believed it was simply a matter of time before Congress or the courts would repeal this unjust, unconstitutional, ex-post facto law which infringes upon our 2nd Amendment right.
I grew up hunting and shooting with my father and brothers. I have been a safe, responsible and law abiding gun owner all my life. I have never used a firearm for anything other than collecting, target shooting or hunting. I could not, or maybe more accurately would not, understand the connection between my offense in 1993 and my ability to own a gun
In 2000, I injured my hand while making fireworks in my garage. The County Sheriff subsequently searched my residence and discovered a family gun collection. The fact that I did not think the law was fair or that it should not apply to me, did not give me any right to disobey the law.
Unfortunately, the fact that I could not let go of this collection when I should have has cost me dearly. As a result, I am now branded a felon. I ask that you see past this disability and give me the opportunity for employment in my field of expertise.
Respectfully,
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OIF/OEF veteran with lautenberg
Written by army_dad101 on 2006-02-24 06:35:12
Hello i am new here so hopefully this is what you are looking for in 2001 i was charged with a DV i pled not guilty becuase it did not happen my ex-wife even stated that the reason she filed it is because she had a boyfriend that she wanted to move in and didnt know how to tell me nice huh. anyways i pled not guilty and it was thrown out of court for insufficient evidence. in 2003 my iowa national guard unit got activated to go to iraq i was stationed in iraq as a humvee gunner providing convoy security and doing patrols and also recieved numerous citations and awards i returned home to the states in jan of 04 in feb 04 i applied to the local police department for a job they were unable to hire me due to a charge of DV and according to them a conviction of the same in 2001 so i ask if this charge was there the whole time how was it our wonderful government sent me into combat when i cannot carry a firearm civilian wise i do not understand this and now the military is tring to kick me out instead of help me get this straightened out. |
