SALT LAKE CITY -- Criminal Charges against Utah's leading gun advocate were dropped Monday.
Clark Aposhian said he feels vindicated. The case against him stems from a domestic dispute with his ex-wife last year.
Aposhian opened up to FOX 13 about what happened and how he's using his experience to help a vocal group on Capitol Hill get more rights.
The 49-year-old pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct infraction but the rest of the criminal charges against him, like domestic violence and criminal mischief were dismissed.
"I can't help and no one that has even been connected to this case can help but to think that I was treated differently because of my connection with Utah gun laws," said Aposhian whose personal issue was made public all because he is a gun lobbyist.
He's the chairman of the Utah Shooting Sports Council.
"Not everybody's dirty laundry or domestic issues gets aired on national news, it made the Huffington post for God's sake because of guns," Aposhian said.
He said his criminal case had nothing to do with guns. "It has so much more and everything to do with custody."
The father of a 12-year-old girl found himself in handcuffs after a domestic dispute on Memorial Day last year.
He was charged with criminal trespass, mischief, threat of violence and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
"They were unfounded. They were untrue," Aposhian said during an interview with FOX 13.
The gun rights advocate said it took 13 months to fight his criminal case, and it's been even longer since he's seen his daughter.
"This was the worst thing, the worst pain that you can ever have happen to you," Aposhian said.
The father who is seen lobbying for 2nd amendment rights on Capitol Hill will also be helping a vocal group, that has until now been often ignored by lawmakers.
"I have been working with the Father's Rights Organization of Utah and am looking forward to helping with legislation," he said.
Aposhian said while he will still be the face of gun rights on Capitol Hill, he will also be helping the group Utah Father's Rights with legislation on custody issues, and what he calls equal parenting.
While the criminal case against him has been resolved, there are still some civil issues being worked out. Because of the dismissal,
Aposhian now gets his arsenal of guns back.
FOX 13 reached out to Aposhian's ex-wife, Natalie Meyer who was surprised to hear about the criminal charges being dropped. FOX 13 was the first to tell her about the case being resolved. She declined an on-camera interview.
