Justice Department opens new path for some felons to regain gun rights
The Justice Department has finalized a rule allowing some people with felony convictions to apply for restoration of their gun rights.
The U.S. Justice Department has finalized a new rule that establishes a formal process for certain individuals with felony convictions to apply for the restoration of their firearm rights. The move, announced Monday, fulfills a long-standing demand from Second Amendment advocates who have argued that nonviolent offenders should have a legal route to regain their constitutional right to own guns.
Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was recently confirmed to lead the department, framed the new policy as a balance between public safety and constitutional protections. "The Second Amendment is not a second-class right," Blanche said in a statement, adding that the federal government should not permanently strip Americans of a constitutional right without assessing whether they pose a danger to the public.
Under the new system, applications will be processed through an online portal. Each case will be reviewed individually, with officials weighing the applicant's criminal record and reputation to determine whether they are likely to threaten public safety. The department has stated that those convicted of violent crimes, registered sex offenders, individuals residing in the country illegally, and others deemed dangerous will be denied relief unless extraordinary circumstances apply.
Federal law has long permitted people barred from gun ownership due to felony convictions to petition for reinstatement. However, Congress has effectively blocked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from processing such applications since 1992. The new rule seeks to bypass that restriction by establishing a separate application mechanism.
This development is the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at easing federal firearms regulations. Earlier this year, the Justice Department moved to roll back several gun-related rules and declined to challenge a court decision that struck down restrictions on firearm suppressors and certain types of guns.