Havoc, I can't say about US Law but in Canada, if a reasonable time has passed with no reoffence you can apply for a pardon and the slate is wiped clean. Including the ownership of weapons. And that is an item that is much more strictly controlled in Canada.
I can do that also. But the system for applying for a pardon is designed to not allow for an everyday citizen to achieve it. You need $$ and the backing of some very high up people to get one. Either that or be famous.
Also our system isn't designed for people to be properly incarcerated. It is designed not to help keep us out of jail but to keep us in.
I could go on forever but the issue here is guns. I cannot even hunt unless it is with a bow. And I hate arrows. Plus I need a daily permit from the DNR. All because I have a record. And they are dangerous weapons.