I have a criminal misdimeanor in california. Can I still buy and own a gun?

If you were convicted of a felony, you cannot own or possess a firearm. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you can. Have a discussion of legal principles by a California lawyer.

Check with a lawyer in your locale to discuss more of the details.

Good luck to you.

God bless.

NOTE: This answer is made available by the out-of-state lawyer for educational purposes only. By using or participating in this site you understand that there is no attorney client privilege between you and the attorney responding. This site should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney that practices in the subject practice discipline and with whom you have an attorney client relationship along with all the privileges that relationship provides. The law changes frequently and varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The information and materials provided are general in nature, and may not apply to a specific factual or legal circumstance described in the question.

Note that Mr. Brinkmeyer is NOT licensed in California and is NOT a criminal defense attorney. His simplistic answer is correct in your case, but may be downright dangerous to others.

Your misdemeanor conviction for driving on a suspended license has no effect on your right to own or possess a firearm.

However, if you had been convicted of certain violent misdemeanors listed in Penal Code 12021(c), it would be illegal for you to have a gun for ten years after your conviction. If you had been convicted of a misdemeanor involving domestic violence, Federal law would make it illegal for you to own a firearm for the rest of your life.

Convictions for driving with a suspended license does not affect your ability ot own a firearm in California.

As Mr. Marshall noted in the previous answer, this is not true for all misdemeanor offenses. Crimes involving violence, listed in PC12021, will preclude you from owning a firearm for ten years and a domestic violence conviction may preclude you from owning a firearm for life.

Brian Andritch