President Trump announced a new Justice Department regulation that allows some convicted felons to apply to have their federal firearm rights restored. The DOJ expects about 330,000 people to apply when the process opens next month. Certain groups—registered sex offenders, violent felons and undocumented immigrants—will remain barred from possessing firearms, the department says. The change replaces a system that previously required pardons to regain gun rights and has drawn both support from gun advocates and criticism from public-safety advocates.
Trump Administration Opens Path for Hundreds of Thousands of Convicted Felons to Seek Gun Rights Restoration
Trump Moves to Make It Easier for Convicted Felons to Get Guns
President Donald Trump announced a rule that will make it easier for some people with felony convictions to apply to have their federal firearm rights restored.
Attorney General Todd Blanche on Monday unveiled a new Justice Department regulation that allows convicted felons to submit applications to regain the right to possess firearms. The DOJ estimates roughly 330,000 people will seek relief when the application process opens next month.
Under current federal law, people convicted of offenses punishable by more than one year in prison are barred from possessing firearms, along with undocumented immigrants, military veterans who received dishonorable discharges, and people convicted of certain domestic violence misdemeanors. The department says about 30 million Americans are currently prohibited from owning firearms because of criminal convictions.
"The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and the federal government should not permanently deprive Americans of a constitutional right without regard to whether they pose a danger to public safety," Blanche said.
Until now, federal gun rights generally could be restored only through a presidential pardon. The article notes that last year pardon attorney Liz Oyer was fired after declining to restore the firearm rights of actor Mel Gibson following his 2011 domestic violence conviction.
The DOJ says the new framework will continue to bar registered sex offenders, people convicted of violent felonies, and undocumented immigrants from regaining firearm privileges. The change is part of a broader push by the White House in its second term to expand legal protections for gun owners and manufacturers; advocates say it restores rights to rehabilitated individuals, while critics argue it risks public safety and serves political supporters of looser gun rules.
What Comes Next: The Justice Department will open applications next month. Applicants will be evaluated under criteria set out in the regulation; the department says not all applicants will be approved.
Help us improve.
