Am I prohibited from buying a firearm ?

[hiker biker]

In 2004 I spending the summer in Idaho. I am an avid mountain biker. There is an area of the Nez Perce national forest that is off limits to mountain biking on the trails. That summer I was riding some of those trails regularly. One day I got stopped by two forest rangers and they informed me that I was on a trail that didnt allow mountain bikers. I faked ignorance and told them I was from California and didnt know the regulations there. They let me go.
Two weeks later I was on another trail that was off limits and one of the same rangers caught me. She issued me a citation.
There was a court date on the citation but I just mailed in the fine amount ($480) and as far as I know that took care of everything. However, I do remember reading on the citation that it was a misdomeanor offense.
Does that mean I have a misdomeanor criminal conviction and if so does that prohibit me from buying a firearm here in CA ?

[stix213]

In 2004 I spending the summer in Idaho. I am an avid mountain biker. There is an area of the Nez Perce national forest that is off limits to mountain biking on the trails. That summer I was riding some of those trails regularly. One day I got stopped by two forest rangers and they informed me that I was on a trail that didnt allow mountain bikers. I faked ignorance and told them I was from California and didnt know the regulations there. They let me go.
Two weeks later I was on another trail that was off limits and one of the same rangers caught me. She issued me a citation.
There was a court date on the citation but I just mailed in the fine amount ($480) and as far as I know that took care of everything. However, I do remember reading on the citation that it was a misdomeanor offense.
Does that mean I have a misdomeanor criminal conviction and if so does that prohibit me from buying a firearm here in CA ?

Only certain specific misdemeanor convictions result in a firearms ban, most do not.

[huntercf]

Sounds like the citation was for trespassing. The only misdemeanors that will prohibit you are ones that involve domestic violence and gun violations. I'm not sure of the form (check the threads) but I know there is one you can send into DOJ and they will tell you if you are able to buy firearms. Sounds like you should be fine.

[hiker biker]

how would i find out ?

[Librarian]

Not necessarily, but it's hard to tell from the description you provide.

Easiest solution: a Personal Firearms Eligibility Check. Takes a while, because isn't top priority, but gets the answer without a lawyer.

If you come back prohibited, straightening that out takes the lawyer.

[HowardW56]

In 2004 I spending the summer in Idaho. I am an avid mountain biker. There is an area of the Nez Perce national forest that is off limits to mountain biking on the trails. That summer I was riding some of those trails regularly. One day I got stopped by two forest rangers and they informed me that I was on a trail that didnt allow mountain bikers. I faked ignorance and told them I was from California and didnt know the regulations there. They let me go.
Two weeks later I was on another trail that was off limits and one of the same rangers caught me. She issued me a citation.
There was a court date on the citation but I just mailed in the fine amount ($480) and as far as I know that took care of everything. However, I do remember reading on the citation that it was a misdomeanor offense.
Does that mean I have a misdomeanor criminal conviction and if so does that prohibit me from buying a firearm here in CA ?

If an appearance wasn't manditory, and all they wanted was the fine, you should be fine...

If you have any doubts, use this form... http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/pfecapp.pdf

[hiker biker]

thanks for the information