Should felons be able to bowhunt Utah?

[Colorado Cowboy]

Convicted felons are just that.....FELONS! If someone commits a serious crime (a felony), that should have to pay for it. What the hells the difference between a bow and a firearm! Both can be considered a dangerous weapon. Would you like to have an arrow shot at you, heaven forbid it hit you. We are splitting hairs here. While not concealable, a bow is just as dangerous as a gun. In the wrong hands, its lethal! A lot of this discussion is about the moralistic ideas of crime and punishment, of which we as a civilization (and a nation) have not been able to agree on for centuries.

Guess I don't have to tell you my opinion.

 

[jenbickel]

 

[sigpros]

I work with a guy who is a felon. Great guy works hard takes care of his 3 kids and would give you the shirt off his back. Made a bad choice about 17 years ago got assigned a lawyer and is now a felon. He did a total of about 6 hrs in jail. He said he can't have anything that fires a projectile no gun,bow,slingshot etc. Said the only hunting he could do would be hog hunting with dogs and a knife. I have mixed feelings on this because of guys like this who want their kids to learn to hunt and stuff. I am going to teach his boy to shoot because he wants him to grow up liking guns and hunting so he can learn what can be taken away with bad choices and snap decisions.

 

[Kevin Root]

I work with a guy who is a felon. Great guy works hard takes care of his 3 kids and would give you the shirt off his back. Made a bad choice about 17 years ago got assigned a lawyer and is now a felon. He did a total of about 6 hrs in jail. He said he can't have anything that fires a projectile no gun,bow,slingshot etc. Said the only hunting he could do would be hog hunting with dogs and a knife. I have mixed feelings on this because of guys like this who want their kids to learn to hunt and stuff. I am going to teach his boy to shoot because he wants him to grow up liking guns and hunting so he can learn what can be taken away with bad choices and snap decisions.

Here in California he could hunt with a bow depending on his parole. I checked with our Fish and Game just being courious and found the below. It seems to change state to state but I'm not sure how Missouri reads. Just thought I'd pass that on.

California Penal Code, section 12001(b)
(b) As used in this title, "firearm" means any device, designed to be used as a weapon, from which is expelled through a barrel a projectile by the force of any explosion or other form of combustion.

Felons may not possess firearms at any time (firearms are defined in California Penal Code, section 12001(b)). Crossbows are not considered archery equipment or a firearm, but they are considered to be a deadly weapon and can be used during rifle seasons. Department of Fish and Game regulations do not prohibit a felon from using a crossbow to hunt with, however, the person should first check with their parole officer to see if a crossbow violates their conditions of parole.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I know that a lot of older people who in their youth did something that they are not proud of and have paid their debt to society and have lived exemplory lives for years. It is not unheard of that they can have their felony reduced and be given their civil rights back. Anyon is these circumstances should consult an attorney and see if this is feasible.

 

[BOHNTR]

Kevin Root:

You are correct for Title 14 sections of the Fish & Game Code and the legal definition per the Penal Code, however, case law dictates otherwise in the Golden State. After 24 years in law enforcement in this state, which began as a game warden, I've learned to keep updated on case decisions regarding this area. Convicted felons are not allowed to posses dangerous weapons (firearms, crossbows, bow and arrows) while on parole and many can not posses them after discharging from parole based on their conviction. As a result, most are not allowed to participate in hunting activities.

 

[Shaun]

Hunting is a privilege, everyone knows the consequences of a felony before its committed, should take away as many right and privileges as possible.

Well said!!! Definatly a sore subject with me but had a step dad who I learned alot of what I know about the outdoors get convicted of a felony and needless to say I dont think he got what he deserved.

 

[Kevin Root]

Kevin Root:

You are correct for Title 14 sections of the Fish & Game Code and the legal definition per the Penal Code, however, case law dictates otherwise in the Golden State. After 24 years in law enforcement in this state, which began as a game warden, I've learned to keep updated on case decisions regarding this area. Convicted felons are not allowed to posses dangerous weapons (firearms, crossbows, bow and arrows) while on parole and many can not posses them after discharging from parole based on their conviction. As a result, most are not allowed to participate in hunting activities.

Good to know and thanks for your service in law enforcement BOHNTR.

Something for everyone to remember from that expression of 60's and 70's and popularized by that TV show "Baretta","Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time." The phrase advises us not to do something risky unless you are willing and able to accept the full weight of the consequences. As we see from some of the responses in this thread so far those consequences can and do go much deeper and severe than mere jail time and fines.

 

[dhershberger]

I don't think I am going to spend too much time worrying about the hunting rights of felons.

+1Bitteroot Bulls
I'm with Bitteroot Bulls on this one!

 

[Zim]

Sfw

I find it totally laughable Utah would ban felons when they condone a boatload of thieves running their own Hunt Expo in SLC! Don Peay is 1,000X the white collar criminal as any thug caught robbing a 7-11 ! Go figure.

 

[Jon Boy]

I find it totally laughable Utah would ban felons when they condone a boatload of thieves running their own Hunt Expo in SLC! Don Peay is 1,000X the white collar criminal as any thug caught robbing a 7-11 ! Go figure.

^^couldnt have said it better.

 

[HuskyMusky]

a 19yo hooking up with his hs 16yo is a very serious crime! lock these kids up and throw away the key I tell ya! same goes for sexting! A serious crime? Some felonies are serious, some are not very.

As to a bow being dangerous, felons CAN own bows, they can't own GUNS.

Is lying to an FBI agent a serious crime? ie martha stewart? Tell me how lying to an fbi agent justifies a felony, but when a cop interrogates a suspect they can outright lie to them legally? absolutely no difference but 1 is a felony and 1 is completely legal!

Ignorance is bliss. Everyone thinks felons are rapist murderers when most are not, and if you knew everyone who had a felony it would blow your mind.

It would be nice if the term felon were restricted to just that, serious offenders. But the hs senior who hooks up with a freshmen at a party I somehow find not quite as serious as a murderer. Btw what is a felony in 1 state isn't a felony in another, ie the age of consent int he US varies from 16 to 17 to 18 depending upon the state.

Convicted felons are just that.....FELONS! If someone commits a serious crime (a felony), that should have to pay for it. What the hells the difference between a bow and a firearm! Both can be considered a dangerous weapon. Would you like to have an arrow shot at you, heaven forbid it hit you. We are splitting hairs here. While not concealable, a bow is just as dangerous as a gun. In the wrong hands, its lethal! A lot of this discussion is about the moralistic ideas of crime and punishment, of which we as a civilization (and a nation) have not been able to agree on for centuries.

Guess I don't have to tell you my opinion.

 

[T43]

So what did you do? Statutory? That seems to be the way you are leaning.

 

[HuskyMusky]

The human brain doesn't stop developing until about age 25.

It would be very interesting to see a study of 1 time felons who committed a crime when younger than 25 who have gone on to never commit a crime after 25.

To claim every "criminal" knows they're committing a crime prior to choosing to do so is ignorant if you ask me. Back to teenagers sexting and hooking up, I'm sure most don't know what's illegal or just how illegal something is. I highly doubt teenagers sexting even think it's illegal, let alone distributing child pornography.

 

[wapiti66]

It's tough to make it a yes/no answer, there are good people out there that made a mistake and can't hunt because of it, although it may have been 30 years ago. But, there are plenty felons that don't deserve the right also, I believe it should definately depend on the crime/felon history.

 

[Musket Man]

I know a very good person that has a felony because he forgot his gun was behind his seat with bullets in the magazine. While according to the law in his state (CA) thats a felony. He certainly did nothing violent or morally wrong. There are alot of people with felonys that are not at all bad, violent or dangerous people in any way.

 

[BOHNTR]

I know a very good person that has a felony because he forgot his gun was behind his seat with bullets in the magazine. While according to the law in his state (CA) thats a felony. He certainly did nothing violent or morally wrong. There are alot of people with felonys that are not at all bad, violent or dangerous people in any way.

Was he convicted of carrying a loaded and concealed firearm? Section 12031 of the California Penal Code is a "wobbler", which can be tried as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the following factors. A felony conviction is based on four subdivisions. These subdivisions are:

1. Previously being convicted of a felony or any other California firearm offense,

2. Situations where the loaded firearm is stolen and you know or have reasonable cause to believe that the gun is stolen,

3. Unlawfully possessing the firearm or otherwise being prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm ("unlawful possession of a firearm" means that you have taken the gun without permission from the gun’s lawful owner or from a person who had lawful custody of the weapon), and

4. Being an active participant in a criminal street gang.

Perhaps there was more to his story if, in fact, he was convicted of a felony section of 12031 P.C. in California.

 

[Musket Man]

I dont know for sure but i know he did none of those 4 things. I do know the cop was after his girl friend or his girl friend was the cops x or something like that and the cop was harassing him and trying to nail him for anything he could any way he could. I dont remember all the small details. Im just saying that just because someone has a felony dont mean they are bad or dangerous.

 

[HuskyMusky]

I know a very good person that has a felony because he forgot his gun was behind his seat with bullets in the magazine. While according to the law in his state (CA) thats a felony. He certainly did nothing violent or morally wrong. There are alot of people with felonys that are not at all bad, violent or dangerous people in any way.

Well according to others on this site, he obviously knew what he was doing was wrong and chose to commit a felony.

Not all crimes are planned, not all are said well this is a felony but I'm going to do it anyway,


Can anyone tell me why a person who lies to an fbi agent should not be allowed to bowhunt in Utah? let alone hunt/own a gun? A cop can lie to you, but you lie to an fbi agent and it's a felony. Makes a lot of sense to me... that was sarcasm btw.

Not every felony is armed robbery, murder, etc...

plain and simple the term "felon" covers too many.


I remember on the news a while back they made your 5th DUI a felony! I couldn't help but laugh, why make it 5th? might as well make it 20th, or 200th dui at that rate.

speaking of in canada a dui is a felony, curious how many people have driven drunk or buzzed at least once in their life?

 

[dead river]

felony

I was riding with a co-worker last fall when he got rear ended about 1.5 miles from a main college campus (where it is obvious with all university buildings). The other guy leaves his info and drives away, we wait for the police to file it. Buddy tells the cop he has a concealed carry. Cop asks where it is and he tells him locked in the seat compartment of his silverado truck. Cop says, good thing it is locked or i would have to arrest you, the campus boundary is that center line of the roadway 15' over there.....even with ccp, he would have committed a felony. with the gun locked away, NC law makes it a class I misdemeanor. Incidentally, that law is up to be changed to not have it a felony if the weapon never leaves the vehicle.

No signs, no way for any of us to know about this obscure campus boundary. Close call for him...apparently there are felonies that are easier to commit than others. I started looking on county GIS sites after that and was amazed at what was deemed "on campus" grounds on many 4 lane public roads in the vicinity of a school or university.


Still not sure about my answer to the poll. Just saying, it may not be black and white.