A freind of mine is currently in jail. He was convicted of a felony DUI. I know that he can't hunt with or posess a gun when he gets out, but my question is. Can he Bow hunt or use a muzzle loader? He is not a violent person but he made a mistake he is now paying for. Does anyone know if I can still hunt with him when he gets out?

He can only archery hunt. A black powder rifle is still considered a firearm for the purposes of the prohibition for convicted felons.

Here is the definition from the statute:

Connecticut General Statutes, Sec. 53a-3. Definitions. Except where different meanings are expressly specified, the following terms have the following meanings when used in this title:

(19) "Firearm" means any sawed-off shotgun, machine gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol, revolver or other weapon, whether loaded or unloaded from which a shot may be discharged;

Here is the statute that prohibits the possession:

Sec. 53a-217. Criminal possession of a firearm or electronic defense weapon: Class D felony. (a) A person is guilty of criminal possession of a firearm or electronic defense weapon when such person possesses a firearm or electronic defense weapon and (1) has been convicted of a felony, (2) has been convicted as delinquent for the commission of a serious juvenile offense, as defined in section 46b-120, (3) knows that such person is subject to (A) a restraining or protective order of a court of this state that has been issued against such person, after notice and an opportunity to be heard has been provided to such person, in a case involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person, or (B) a foreign order of protection, as defined in section 46b-15a, that has been issued against such person in a case involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person, (4) knows that such person is subject to a firearms seizure order issued pursuant to subsection (d) of section 29-38c after notice and an opportunity to be heard has been provided to such person, or (5) is prohibited from shipping, transporting, possessing or receiving a firearm pursuant to 18 USC 922(g)(4). For the purposes of this section, "convicted" means having a judgment of conviction entered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) Criminal possession of a firearm or electronic defense weapon is a class D felony, for which two years of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court.

Forgot about parole/TS requirements....most of the questions regarding felons are for people that were arrested years ago.

If he wants to archery hunt he should clear it with is PO first and make sure he can carry a bow and a knife. They may say NO and like Shellback said...tell him to go fishing...without a knife.

Nah. I think he is screwed. No matter what he does or how much he pays for his crime this is one of those things that never leaves you. He can vote of course_ since clearly that doesn't imply being responsible_ (witness the last election) but he can't carry.

This is where people get confused. They wonder how a state can suspend your 'right' to own a fire arm. Well the problem is firearm ownership isn't a 'right' at all. You second amendment people out there should think about this.

1. Federal law generally makes it a felony for a person to be in possession of a firearm if the person has any prior felony conviction.

2. Federal law contains an explicit statutory exception which provides that the federal criminal offense of firearms possession is inapplicable to persons who have had their civil rights restored on the predicate state felony conviction.(4)

3. Whether a person has had his or her civil rights restored for a state conviction is determined by state and NOT federal law.

4. The federal law requires that for federal law to recognize the state restoration of rights, the state restoration must include the right to vote, the right to seek and hold public office, and the right to serve on a jury. (5)

5. If the state restoration of rights includes the three aforementioned rights the federal law contains an additional federal "unless" clause which looks to state law to see if the state imposes any restriction on the right of the convicted felon to possess a weapon (e.g., some states such as North Carolina prohibit the subsequent possession of a handgun but would allow the individual to possess a rifle or shotgun).

6. If there is some added firearms restriction under state law then the federal "unless" clause is triggered to make the possession of any firearms unlawful under federal law notwithstanding the state's restoration of civil rights. Thus, if the state says that a restored-rights felon may possess a shotgun but not a pistol, the state has allowed the felon to possess the shotgun under state law BUT, because the state has created some firearm restriction for a convicted felon, this means that the federal prohibition applies with full force notwithstanding a state restoration of rights.


So in other words in CT you are screwed. Screwed beyond ever getting by the problem. Over_ done_ you loose_ can’t take it back no matter what it was. In some states you could get your possession ‘privileges’ back. Depends on the state. I’m not a lawyer so you should check with one in this state before you do anything but my guess is you are in for a tough time.

Hey_ I’m not an advocate of jumping behind the wheel of a multi-thousand pound vehicle and tossing down the highway at 60mph when you are toasted but if no one gets killed there are worse things you could do. Sorry about your buddy. Heavy price to pay.

It seems odd to tie together fishing and hunting laws with others, but we do. Unfortunately other things like voting rights are also part of the picture.
While I feel sorry for your friend, I would have to know why he was a felony offender, and why he might have been sentenced to jail for a first offense. Seems like there is more to be said here regarding the nature/seriousness of his offense, that landed him in jail.