In a move that’s already stirring up debate, the Trump administration is rolling out a proposal that could allow certain Americans with criminal records to regain their right to own firearms.
It’s all part of a broader push to revisit how Second Amendment rights are treated under federal law—especially when it comes to people who don’t pose a threat to public safety.
DOJ Tackles What It Calls Unfair Gun Restrictions
President Trump has directed the Department of Justice to take a hard look at how gun rights are stripped away from citizens with past convictions.
Under current law, many people lose their right to own firearms permanently—even if their crimes were nonviolent or decades old.
But there’s a lesser-known section of federal law, 18 U.S.C. 925(c), that gives the Attorney General the power to restore those rights if the individual is deemed unlikely to pose a danger.
Now, the DOJ is proposing a new rule to clearly define how that process will work.
Attorney General Bondi Says “No Longer” to Blanket Disqualifications
Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn’t hold back in her statement.
She said too many Americans have been permanently blocked from exercising their constitutional right to bear arms, regardless of whether they’ve ever posed a real threat.
“This right is just as sacred as the right to vote or the right to speak freely,” she said.
“No longer should nonviolent individuals be lumped into the same category as dangerous criminals.”
Who Could Get Their Gun Rights Back?
The proposed rule would give a second chance to people whose gun rights were revoked but who can show they’ve turned their lives around. However, not everyone will qualify.
The Justice Department made it clear that violent felons, registered sex offenders, and undocumented immigrants will almost certainly remain ineligible.
The process will be handled on a case-by-case basis, with the final decision left to the Attorney General.
Officials say they’ll consider a wide range of evidence when reviewing applications—from criminal history to behavioral reports and character references.
A New Online Portal for Applications in the Works
U.S. Pardon Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. shared that his team is already working on a user-friendly website where eligible citizens will eventually be able to apply for their rights to be restored.
He praised General Bondi’s support of the initiative, calling it consistent with President Trump’s “promise to support the beautiful Second Amendment.”
The platform, once ready, is meant to simplify what can otherwise be a complex and intimidating process.
DOJ Wants Public Input Before Finalizing the Rule
Before any final decisions are made, the Justice Department is inviting feedback from the public.
They especially want to hear from law enforcement, victims’ advocates, elected officials, and individuals who hope to apply.
For now, the department is encouraging people to review the proposed process carefully and submit comments, rather than immediately flood the system with applications.
An official version of the proposed rule will be published next week in the Federal Register, but a draft has already been submitted and is available for review.