If you have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors then both federal and state law prohibit you from purchasing, possessing, or transporting firearms.
However, in many cases it is possible for Virginia residents to have their gun rights restored.
§ 18.2-308.2(C) of the Code of Virginia provides for certain convicted persons to petition the circuit court of the jurisdiction in which he or she resides for a restoration of their right to possess firearms.
Am I eligible?
To determine whether you should consider pursuing a restoration of your gun rights, let’s walk through a few questions:
Is your disability based upon a state or a federal conviction?
If your disability is based upon a federal conviction, then there is currently no way to have your gun rights restored except a presidential pardon. There is statutorily an administrative process, however, since 1992 Congress has denied ATF funding to process the necessary applications.
If your disability is based upon a Virginia state conviction, then you may be eligible to petition the court for a restoration of your gun rights.
But first …
Have you had your political rights restored?
Under Virginia law, your political rights must be restored before you may petition the Circuit Court for a restoration of your gun rights.
Political rights include the right to vote, to run for and hold public office, to serve on juries, and to serve as a notary public.
If your political rights have not been restored then you must submit an application for political rights restoration. If you are eligible to have your political rights restored but have not yet done so, I will be happy to assist you in doing so as part of the gun rights restoration service.
So … if your political rights have been restored or if you are eligible to apply then you are ready to put together your petition for restoration of your gun rights.
Shouldn’t I just use a local attorney?
If you are trying to get representation regarding a patent filing then you call a patent attorney.
If you are trying to get representation regarding an adoption then you call a family law attorney.
The same should be true where gun rights restoration is concerned. Not everyone understands the level of complexity involved in firearms law and this can lead to disastrous consequences.
I have encountered a number of purported gun rights ‘restorations’ which do not, in fact, restore the rights of the petitioner and can lead to state or federal charges against the person who believes that his or her rights have been restored.
What does your representation cost?
If you qualify, I will assist you in applying for restoration of your political rights (if necessary), petition the Circuit Court in the jurisdiction where you reside for relief from the disability imposed by your conviction, appear with you for your hearing, and prepare the necessary order for the judge to sign. I offer this service for a flat fee of $1,900 which includes any necessary travel expense for your hearing (local cases may receive a discounted rate).
Please note however that this is not a guarantee of success … only a promise to work diligently on your behalf. Ultimately, the judge will take the totality of your situation into account in making his or her decision.
The factors the judge will consider include: the seriousness of the crime, any other criminal history, the length of time since the conviction, and your community involvement.
If you made a mistake and have turned your life around, isn’t it time that you took the steps necessary to recover all of your rights?
Contact me for a free, private, and confidential consultation.
What previous clients are saying
Mr Pierce came highly recommended and after working with him, I understand why! He is very professional and very knowledgeable about Virginia firearm laws. Very positive experience with very positive results!
CandaceOctober 19, 2020
Mr. Pierce was very professional. He is very detail oriented and thoroughly explained each step of the process of reinstatement from which documents I needed to obtain, to how the hearing would proceed and the questions I would need to answer. He made the whole process much easier and less stressful than it could have been otherwise.
Bradlee AillesFebruary 9, 2020
John made the process of having my gun rights restored so easy - He really understands the people, jurisdictions, and processes. I never felt in the dark as to what was going on as he explained everything both up front, as well as along the way. John is ALWAYS available to take a call, answer questions, etc. I really can't overstate how pleased we are with John and the entire process - It was actually a pleasant experience (not something I ever expected to say regarding a court appearance!). Thanks again, John. We really appreciate all you did for us!
James ClelandSeptember 28, 2022
I contacted John about a year ago to help me set up a gun trust. He was recommended through a close friend that hired him to set up his trust as well. While in this process I decided to enlist his help in wading through the BATF paperwork for an NFA registration and tax stamp. John could not have been more helpful, thorough, and professional. He had my trust sent to me in a very timely manner and then helped me get an NFA firearm registered painlessly and without any issues. His experience in handling these types of matters was demonstrated in how fast my NFA paperwork was approved. Since then, I have continued to have John take care of all subsequent NFA registrations, trust updates, and he has never failed to deliver professional and sound guidance. It should also be noted that John's communication is responsive and very comprehensive. I would recommend Mr. Pierce for any of your trust or NFA related matters without hesitation!
Mike B.October 19, 2020
Usually, dealing with any lawyer can be stressful but having John Pierce representing my best interests was just the opposite! Mr. Pierce actually went beyond the scope of the problem, did major research and easily convinced a judge to restore my constitutional rights.
Dale MosherAugust 19, 2022
