Gun Right Restoration – Update

Federal Restoration of Gun Rights Major Update 2025

As you probably know, people who are convicted of a felony in the United States lose their rights to own, purchase, or possess any firearm or ammunition. As the law currently stands, a convicted felon’s rights are permanently taken away, even if the felony was completely non-violent, and even if the conviction is decades old. Our firm receives multiple calls every day from individuals with prior felony convictions who are seeking the restoration of their gun rights. For those who were previously prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law, particularly those with federal law felony convictions there has, unfortunately, been very little that could be done to help them. Luckily, thanks to a recent change in how federal gun right restoration operates, the path to restoring your rights has finally opened.

Why Weren’t Rights being Restored Before Now?

Under federal Law, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 925(c), there has been an avenue for a person convicted of a felony in federal court to have their gun rights restored, but, unfortunately, it has been entirely impossible to complete the process for many years. Under the old law, the ATF was in charge of overseeing the restoration process.  However, Congress acted deliberately to prevent the ATF from actually getting the work done.  In 1992, the Consolidated Appropriation Act was passed. The Act prevented any funds from being allocated to the ATF to oversee the restoration process. Without any funding to accomplish the tasks, it was impossible for the ATF to act to restore anyone’s rights.

Recent Changes to the Federal Restoration Structure

As the 1992 Consolidated Appropriation Act is still in place, something had to change to allow funding to be given to the restoration process. Recently, the Trump administration has transferred authority to oversee the restoration process to the Department of Justice. As the above Act only prevented funding from being given to the ATF to oversee the process, there are now no obstacles in place to stop funding. The DOJ has already issued a statement titled Granting of Relief; Federal Firearms Privileges, in which they summarize the process and the Attorney General’s responsibility in this process. They have also released the names of several individuals who have already been granted relief under 925(c). Now that relief is actually possible, there will hopefully be a large increase in the number of people getting their federal firearms rights restored. It is important to note, however, that this restoration applies to federal rights only. A person who receives Federal restoration of rights may still be prohibited from possessing firearms based on the laws of the state in which they reside. Still, this is absolutely a massive step in the right direction for gun rights.

The Road Ahead: Navigating the New Restoration Process

With the new changes in place, individuals seeking to restore their federal firearms rights need to be aware of the steps involved in the process. At the time of writing this article, the DOJ has not released the new application process yet. However, we are watching closely for the release of this information, and once it is released, another article explaining the new procedure will surely follow. With any application process, the DOJ will consider various factors before granting relief, including the nature of the felony, the length of time since the conviction, the applicant’s criminal record, and any evidence of rehabilitation. Ultimately, they will be working to make several key determinations, especially a determination as to whether “the applicant will or will not be likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety and that the granting of the relief would not be contrary to the public interest.”

The Impact on Individuals and Communities

The new restoration process holds significant implications not only for individuals but also for communities. For many, the ability to regain their federal firearms rights represents more than just the legal right to own a gun. It symbolizes a chance to reclaim a part of their identity and to fully reintegrate into society. For some, it is an affirmation that their past mistakes no longer define them and that they can move forward with their lives.

From a community perspective, the restoration process can improve public safety by promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Individuals who feel that they have a second chance are more likely to engage positively with their communities, seek stable employment, and build productive lives. This sense of inclusion and opportunity can lead to safer and more cohesive communities.

Moving Forward

As the Department of Justice continues to refine and implement the new restoration process, it will be important to monitor its impact closely. Data on the number of applications, the success rate, and any incidents involving individuals who have had their rights restored will be crucial in assessing the effectiveness of the new process. For now, the shift in policy represents a hopeful development for those seeking to restore their federal firearms rights.

In conclusion, the recent changes in the federal gun right restoration process marks a critical turning point. By transferring authority to the Department of Justice and enabling funding for the restoration process, the path has finally opened for many individuals to reclaim their rights. It is now up to the DOJ, applicants, and pro-Second Amendment Attorneys to navigate this new landscape and ensure that the new process does actually work to help those seeking a restoration of their rights.

Getting Started With Your Federal Gun Right Restoration

As we said, we have multiple people everyday contacting us about this new process.  We have started a waiting list of individuals who have retained us to help them navigate the process once the Department of Justice releases the official process for federal gun right restoration.  We will complete the restoration process in the order we have been hired.  Call us today at 321-332-6865 to reserve your place on our list and ensure your gun right restoration is completed in the shortest time possible.  We look forward to hearing from you and to helping you restore your gun rights.

Until your firearm rights are restored, click here to learn more about living with a felon and a firearm.

Ryan Katz

Ryan Katz graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He has spent much of his life hearing about important gun law issues and learning how to navigate the criminal justice system. Self-defense law has always been a...
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