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Today's Poll: Should former felons who have paid their debts to society be allowed to vote, own firearms?

By Howard B. Owens
John Roach

This giving the right to vote is very misleading. Any felon in NY can already ask for that right and it is almost never denied. There is a Relief from Disabilities form they can fill out, even while still in prison waiting to be released. They can use the same form to ask for an license to work in certain occupations also (an example: Barbers License). This is more grandstanding for votes than really doing anything.

Apr 19, 2018, 10:24am Permalink
Tim Miller

I could not select "yes" because of the right to own guns part. Voting? Sure - automatically restore once that debt is paid. Firearms? Not if the felon used a firearm in their criminal activity - that should be on a case-by-case basis.

(you could argue the return of voting rights should also be case-by-case if the felony involved voting fraud)

Apr 19, 2018, 11:01am Permalink
Rich Richmond

Their right to vote may be reinstated once they are released. Yes, this is grandstanding and politics as usual. New York State Penal Law banned them from owning any firearms, long before the Safe Act was passed. Criminals-felons who want firearms will get them illegally.

Apr 19, 2018, 11:01am Permalink
Scott Birkby

Absolutely. Once they have repaid ALL of their debt, including reimbursing victims, paying all legal fees, as well as reimbursing the total cost that the taxpayers have spent on their incarceration.

Apr 19, 2018, 11:38am Permalink
Randy Sliker

I Voted YES=--But Ill add a stipulation as to what Kind of crime was committed.. A Quarrel with an ex wife where she cries Abuse should not be a disqualifying offense =Same with a DWI. A Violent act like an armed robbery or an assault with a deadly weapon should of coarse be a disqualify er!

Apr 19, 2018, 12:03pm Permalink

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