Legal Definitions - disabling statute

A disabling statute is a law that limits or curbs certain rights. For example, a state may pass a law that disables convicted felons from voting in elections. This means that even if a convicted felon has served their sentence and is now a free citizen, they are still not allowed to vote because of the disabling statute.

Another example of a disabling statute is a law that prohibits certain individuals from owning firearms. This means that even if a person is legally allowed to own a firearm, they may be disabled from doing so if they fall under the category of individuals prohibited by the statute.

Disabling statutes are often controversial because they restrict certain rights that are considered fundamental by some individuals. However, they are also seen as necessary by others to protect public safety and prevent certain individuals from causing harm.