The Justice Department announced a finalized federal regulation creating an application process for eligible individuals to seek the restoration of their federal firearm rights.
The move marks one of the initial actions taken by Attorney General Todd Blanche. For more than 30 years, the relief process outlined by Congress under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) remained largely out of reach for people seeking relief from federal gun restrictions.
“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. “This rule establishes a rigorous, commonsense process that protects the public while giving deserving Americans a real path to restoration.”
U.S. Pardon Attorney Edward Martin stated that the initiative fulfills a broader White House goal.
“President Trump keeps making history – this time by his unprecedented restoration of firearms rights to millions of Americans,” Martin said. “Over the past months, we have worked at the direction of Attorney General Todd Blanche to build a program to give a pathway for restoration for the 30 million Americans who have lost their Second Amendment rights. We are proud to serve and defend our great Second Amendment.”
Federal officials emphasized that approval is neither guaranteed nor automatic. Applicants must provide evidence showing that their past record, overall reputation, and recent conduct demonstrate they will not endanger public safety and that restoring their rights serves the public interest.
The department stated it will review cases on an individual basis while keeping strict presumptions against applicants with high-risk backgrounds. Unless extraordinary circumstances exist, relief remains out of reach for violent felons, registered sex offenders, undocumented immigrants, and others deemed to present an ongoing safety risk.
The regulation addresses only federal firearm prohibitions. It does not lift separate gun restrictions established under state laws.
The final rule takes effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
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