HB 14-1230 Summary

• Creates a process for individuals convicted of certain nonviolent felonies to petition district court to restore their right to possess firearms after a 5-year waiting period following sentence completion.

• Eligible offenses include property crimes (excluding arson and robbery), fraud, governmental operations offenses, gambling, miscellaneous offenses, and violations of specified state and federal titles related to elections, labor, education, health, and other regulatory matters.

• Court must issue a certificate of restoration if petitioner demonstrates by preponderance of evidence: engagement in lawful occupation or income source, no criminal convictions since sentence completion (excluding minor traffic violations), lawful reasons for restoration, and that granting the petition poses no unreasonable risk to public safety.

• District attorney must notify victims who received prior notification or at their discretion, and victims may submit information to the court for consideration during the restoration petition review.

• If petition is denied, petitioner cannot file another petition for at least one year; effective date is July 1, 2014.