July 26th, 2015, Milwaukee, outside a bar. One man attacked another. The man who was attacked defended himself by shooting the attacker, who died at the scene. The Milwaukee prosecutor has ruled that the shooting was in self defense. The shooter was carrying the gun he used to defend himself illegally. As a convicted felon, Augusta Walton, 34, has been charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. From Fox6now.com . . .
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee police say a July homicide has now been ruled self-defense.
The homicide happened on July 26th, 2015 . . .
Police say they have been notified by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office that this incident has been ruled self-defense.
The suspect in this case, 34-year-old Augusta Walton, was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
Being a convicted felon places a person on the federal list of people who are barred from purchase and possession of firearms by federal law. There are about 1.9 million people in that category who are on the federal list of prohibited possessors. But does the right to defend one’s life end with conviction for a felony? In Augusta’s situation, it was legal for him to defend himself, but not to possess the means of defense.
Currently, it is very difficult for someone with a felony conviction to regain the right to arms. In some states it can be done, though it is a laborious process. It is almost impossible to have a federal felony conviction reversed. One of the few ways to do so: a presidential pardon for the crime. I’ve seen exactly one example, presented to me by a student at a concealed carry class.
A path to regain rights lost should be clear and obvious, and not take an enormous amount of money to activate. It would act as an incentive for felons to stay on the right side of the law. And that would mean that everyone wins.
©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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