Depending on the Felony, you can have your right restored.
I know a fellow here in Fairbanks that was convicted of jury tampering, when he told the jury they had certain rights and that the judge was wrong in his instructions to the jury. He was right in his speech, but he got a felony conviction out of the way he did it in the court room. After he served his time, he requested his rights be restored and they were.
A violent felony conviction usually is denied the request, but each case has to stand on it's own merits.
Here in Alaska the state turns a blind eye on felons who own shotguns or rifles, since these are needed to feed their families. As long as they don't do something stupid there is no problem. But, take for instance the guy who shot a hole in then Alaska Pipeline. He was a felon, and when he was arrested he was charged with "Felon in possession of a firearm". Along with many other charges.
