Can a convicted felon in the state of Ohio own a gun?

Answer 1

Yes, according to Jim Siegel, Ohio is one of 12 states, plus the District of Columbia, that allows ex-felons to regain voting rights once released from prison. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/08/04/loc_exfelons04.html

Answer 2

No. You may not own or even POSSESS firearms. Not unless you have been granted the right to have your record expunged of your offense. Even then, you may not be able to do so. You will have to do your own research within your state on tihs subject. To request the expungement of an offense from your STATE (not Federal) criminal record: You must have either been exonerated, acquited, or served the complete term of your sentence - then file a petition/motion with the court setting forth valid reason(s) why your request should be granted. A judge will review your petition and the circumstances of your case and issue a ruling either granting or denying the request. AN EXPUNGEMENT IS NOT A PARDON! Expungement only removes the record of your offense from being available to the public. Law enforcement, the courts, and government agencies will always have access to your actual 'true' record. FELONS CONVICTED IN STATE COURT OF STATE CRIMES: If your request for expungement is granted and you are a resident of a state which completely or partially restores your "rights" (you will have to do your own esearch to learn if this applies to your state), you will still remain subject to whatever restrictions your state laws place on you (e.g.- voting rights - elective office - firearms/ammunition possession - etc). FEDERALLY CONVICTED FELONS - CAUTION: Regardless of what rights your state may restore, if you were convicted in FEDERAL COURT of a FEDERAL FELONY - it is a felony crime for a federally convicted felon to EVER own or possess a firearm. The U.S. Criminal Code, makes the penalty for illegal possession of a firearm a mandatory minimum of fifteen (15) years in prison in some cases (Title 18 U.S.C. sec 924(e)(1). At this time FEDERALLY convicted felons have no solution to their firearm disqualification. Congress has effectively eliminated the review of federally convicted felons' petitions for restoration of their firearms privileges, by denying funding for the purpose.

Answer 3

Yes, the Ohio bar association's policy is to review all applicants with a felony conviction. Many aggravating and mitigating circumstances will be considered; including nature of crime, time elapsed since offense and other offenses in your past (non-felony). One very important thing is to FULLY disclose your record.