The Justice Department announced Monday it has finalized a rule enabling individuals barred from owning firearms due to criminal convictions to apply for their gun rights to be reinstated. The move is seen as a victory for Second Amendment advocates who have long pushed for nonviolent offenders to regain their rights.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the new process aims to protect public safety while providing a pathway for deserving Americans to restore their rights. He emphasized that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right and should not be permanently revoked without regard to whether individuals pose a danger to the public, according to a department statement.
The rule establishes an online application system that individuals can use to petition for gun rights restoration on a case-by-case basis. The Justice Department said it will consider factors such as criminal history and reputation when reviewing applications. Those convicted of violent crimes, registered sex offenders, or individuals living illegally in the country are likely to be denied, except in extraordinary circumstances.
The move continues the Trump administration’s efforts to ease firearms restrictions. Earlier this year, the department made changes to gun regulations and chose not to challenge a court ruling that struck down rules on firearm suppressors and certain guns.
While federal law has allowed people to petition for firearm rights restoration since 1992, Congress has effectively blocked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from processing such applications. The new rule seeks to bypass that restriction through the online portal, officials said.
Reaction from gun safety advocates has been cautious. Kris Brown, president of Brady, said her group is reviewing the final rule but stressed the importance of a system that minimizes risks to public safety. She criticized the administration’s approach, citing examples of restored gun rights for domestic abusers and January 6 insurrection participants, which she said undermine broader crime prevention efforts.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
