JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMOX) – Missourians who were convicted of a crime years ago now have a chance to have their criminal record erased.

A new law signed by the governor does not include crimes of violence or drug convictions, but people covered by the law could have their convictions expunged after 10 years for a misdemeanor and 20 years for a felony.

State Senator Brad Lager sponsored the proposal.  He says a man in his district pleaded guilty to passing bad checks when he was in his early 20s and now, decades later,  wants to take his son hunting.

Federal law  prohibits convicted felons from having a gun.

Lager says the new law would allow the man’s conviction to be expunged and restore his Second Amendment firearms rights.

The National Rifle Association lobbied for passage of the Missouri bill.