Gun Rights Restoration

[Veteran31]

My question involves civil rights in the State of: California

In 1978 I was convicted of a Misdemeanor (12303.3 with injury 2 counts - Igniting explosives).
I spent two days in the city jail, fined $320.00 for destruction of property.
My sentence was dismissed with no probation time.

In short, I was 19 years old and I ignited two homemade pipe bombs at night in a Wildlife Refuge park, destroyed two trash cans, no bodily injuries involved.

The city has expunged my record, but the state has not.

I joined the military in 1980 and I have had a stellar 31 year career.

Do I have chance of restoring my gun rights? If so, what are my options?

Thank you for your assistance.

[cdwjava]

Any expungement would likely have to have a specific mention of the restoration of firearms rights.

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp...imlawclean.htm

You might want to speak with an attorney to help you with this. Records that old will be very difficult to review and that may cause some difficulties. On the other hand, the lack of any subsequent record - and your years of military service - will likely show well.

Are you sure you are prohibited from possessing firearms? I would have thought that you would have been prohibited from possessing any weapons if this conviction were still good.

[Veteran31]

cdwjava,

Yes, I am restricted from buying a firearm via the NICS checking system. The FBI sent me the previously mentioned conviction in January 2003. I tried to purchase a curio/relic WWII rifle through a west coast Sporting Goods store in 2002.
Interestingly, prior 2002 I had no problem buying a firearm, my name never came up on the NICS check.

Thanks