My name is Rarity Lampkin. I am a previous felon who has served my time and reintegrated into society, striving every day to contribute positively. Yet, I find myself stripped of certain rights that are fundamental for my protection and that of my family - the right to bear arms.

The current gun laws in our country prohibit felons from owning firearms, regardless of the nature or age of their conviction. This blanket ban does not consider the fact that people can change or that some crimes are non-violent in nature. According to a study by The Sentencing Project, as many as 19.8 million Americans with felony convictions (excluding those incarcerated) are disenfranchised from this basic right.

I also want to fight for equal rights to employment and housing. Once released from prison many people lose the rights to employment, housing, parental rights, passports, public social benefits-(such as food stamps, housing assistance, etc).  These are things that are essential to everyday living to most. There’s a fight already starting to allow felons to vote, we need to continue to push forward and work on getting all these rights restored for felons!

As a previous felon, I have experienced first-hand the loss of basic rights due to my criminal past. It is a struggle that many others and I face daily, even after serving our time and paying our dues to society.

In the United States alone, over 6 million people are disenfranchised due to felony convictions (source: The Sentencing Project). This number represents individuals who have served their sentences but continue to be punished by being stripped of their fundamental rights.

The perpetual punishment does not only affect us as individuals; it affects our families and communities. By denying us these rights, society is preventing us from fully reintegrating and contributing positively.

We believe in second chances. We believe in redemption. And we believe that once a person has served their sentence for a crime committed, they should be allowed full participation in society again.

This petition seeks reform in these laws; it calls for an assessment system that considers individual circumstances rather than imposing an indiscriminate prohibition. It's time we recognize that everyone deserves a second chance and should not be perpetually punished for past mistakes.

Let's advocate for equal rights and fair treatment for all citizens who have done their time and now seek only justice and security in their lives. Sign this petition today; let's urge lawmakers to reconsider these prohibitive gun laws against felons! And so many other laws!