Q: Misdemeanor from 20 years ago time served and new laws (5 to 7 yrs) stop me from buying a handgun. Anything I can do?
I was charged with assault with a deadly weapon like 23 years ago. It was a misdemeanor. I had no problems buying a handgun after i served my time. I bought several legally actually. So now i find out my misdemeanor is now a Class A which now prohibits me from purchasing a handgun. I fell I am being punished again for the crime all over again. Which the plaintiff even showed up in court and dropped the charges,but then the state picked it up and charged me. So i did my time and thought it was a done deal misdemeanor was not something I was happy with,but at least it was not a felony. Now I feel as if it is.
A: Assault with a weapon is a Felony, then and now in TN. You need to get a copy of your Warrant/Judgment of Conviction and hire a competent attorney to tell you what you pled guilty to. Such a Misdemeanor is not a firearm disability, but the DOS /TBI may be interpreting (or knows) the conviction was a Felony or Domestic related. There is no plaintiff dropping charges in Criminal Court.
Paul E. Tennison agrees with this answer
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