Question for Law Enforcement folks...

[crittergetter76]

I have a question for the greenscreen LE guys and gals. I have a cousin (25 yr old.) that was convicted of a felony in conjuntion with identity theft. He was not participating, but was living in a house with the people that were stealing the identities. Therefore, he was benefiting from the crime. He did his time (6 - 8 months, something like that) in a minimum security place. He has been through the teen challenge program and seems to be on the right track again. (with much prayer support) Anyway, my question is in regards to felons and firearms. He and his family are coming to visit in a few weeks and I'd like to have him stay at my house. Is there a problem with him being in a residence with firearms? I hate what he got involved with, but I love my cousin. I just don't want to be on the wrong side of the law by having him stay at my place. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Young people, listen to your parents. Guilty by association is a real thing. And the friends you choose really do influence you, so pick good ones.

[xman59]

if he does not live there own or posses the firearm, he would not be in violation... the violation is felon in possesion, not in the residence.... but i would lock it (them) away if possible anyway

[txsteele]

it reads "felon in possession of" so he's good. Even though you wouldn't think it, most of us have SOME common sense

Let's just say.........there was a disturbance at your house and he was the suspect that started it AND there was a gun on the coffee table. I wouldn't arrest him for "felon in possesion" if it was your gun and he wasn't holding it.

[glen]

txsteele has it right.

[crittergetter76]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't think it would be a problem, but wanted to be sure. I apprieciate the info.

[HWC]

No he is not in violation...

[crittergitter]

i know of a few felons who wives own several real nice guns.....

[buck_wild]

he needs to check woth his parole officer, if he has one. Sometimes probation and parole are more strict than just violating the letter of the law.

[Bill]

that was convicted of a felony in conjuntion with identity theft. He was not participating, but was living in a house with the people that were stealing the identities. Therefore, he was benefiting from the crime. He did his time (6 - 8 months, something like that) in a minimum security place.

Something doesn't sound right there. Kind of like saying if thieves lived next door to me and paid their taxes, I benefited from the crime. Can I ask how he benefited from the crime if he 'just' lived in the same house with thieves and did not participate in the activity? I hope he gets his life together and moves forward now, 6+ months in prison is a horrible way for somebody to start out their adult life.

[tvc184]

Something doesn't sound right there. Kind of like saying if thieves lived next door to me and paid their taxes, I benefited from the crime. Can I ask how he benefited from the crime if he 'just' lived in the same house with thieves and did not participate in the activity? I hope he gets his life together and moves forward now, 6+ months in prison is a horrible way for somebody to start out their adult life.

I speak to criminals all the time at work and when asked what they did to go to the penitentiary, a typical response may be, "I was with someone that did something".

[1 big skeeter]

he needs to check woth his parole officer, if he has one. Sometimes probation and parole are more strict than just violating the letter of the law.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I agree. Better to be safe than sorry.

[tvc184]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I agree. Better to be safe than sorry.

There is also a difference in the way that the State of Texas and the BATFE look at things. The state is more lenient in possession cases. I have seen the ATF file cases that the state won't even look at.

[PaulPaul]

Ok, pretty clear on guns, but what about a bow? Can a felon own a bow? And if so, can they hunt with a bow? Legally!!!!

[kfd82]

Ok, pretty clear on guns, but what about a bow? Can a felon own a bow? And if so, can they hunt with a bow? Legally!!!!

By the law, Yes. His probation officer might say different.

[tvc184]

I've seen state and federal laws against possession of firearms, ammunition and body armor. I've never seen anything about bows or anything else that could be considered a weapon. Like kfd said, parole or probation rules can be more strict than state law.