It's a crap situation either way you slice it. Had he not taken the plea and actually taken the case to trial, I'm pretty sure, it being Boulder and all, he would run the risk of a felony conviction and not only lose the firearms right, but a host of others too... But is the risk worth it? He could have beaten the felony charge and only been convicted of the M2 which carries a county sentence of 3-12 months if the judge feels like imposing a jail sentence. Not sure what I would have done if I were in that situation, but odds are I'd probably take the fight to court instead of letting the DA screw me over (which I know a few here in Jeffco, odds are they'd probably work something more favorable out).