United States v. James Ray Erwin

EASTERBROOK, Circuit Judge.

We must decide whether a felon whose “civil rights” were restored automatically at the end of his sentence — but who under state law may not own a gun — stands convicted of a crime for purposes of 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(20). If he does, then he is exposed to the special punishment Congress ordered in 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g) and 924(e) for persons who possess a gun despite three prior convictions for violent felonies. The district judge concluded that a person who may not possess guns under state law remains a convicted felon even though other civil rights have been…