DOJ Reestablishes Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Program
The Department of Justice is now allowing prohibited individuals to apply for the restoration of federal firearm rights.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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On August 20, 2026, the Department of Justice finalized a rule to reestablish a federal process for restoring firearm rights to prohibited individuals. The program moves administration from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to the Office of the Pardon Attorney.
Why it matters
This move follows recent Supreme Court jurisprudence suggesting that certain federal prohibited person categories are overly broad. The Trump administration intends for this program to assist rehabilitated offenders in successfully reintegrating into the community.
The restoration of rights is governed by 18 U.S.C. § 925 (c), ending 33 years of inactivity where no federal relief process existed for prohibited individuals. The program is now officially under the oversight of the Office of the Pardon Attorney.
The players
Department of Justice
The federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of laws and the administration of justice in the United States.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
A federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice that protects communities from violent criminals and illegal firearm use.
Office of the Pardon Attorney
A component of the Department of Justice that assists the President in the exercise of executive clemency powers.
The details
The Department of Justice plans to phase in the program in stages, with future plans to transition to an online submission portal. This final rule withdraws previous authorizations that prevented the processing of relief applications following a 1992 congressional funding rider.
Timeline
1968: The Gun Control Act established federal firearm prohibition categories.
1992: Congress prohibited ATF funding for relief applications.
March 2025: The Department of Justice published an interim final rule withdrawing previous authorizations.
August 20, 2026: The Department of Justice published the final rule reestablishing the restoration program.
Legal Context
The reestablishment of the restoration program follows the standard set by New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen regarding firearm regulation. This action marks a departure from decades of prohibition, signaling a shift to align federal disability categories with historical traditions.
Individuals previously prohibited from firearm ownership may now seek relief through the formal Department of Justice application process. Residents should note that the program will be phased in, with specific application guidance expected through the new portal.
The takeaway
The government is reinstating a long-dormant process to allow qualified individuals to petition for the return of their firearm rights. Interested parties should monitor the Department of Justice portal for updates on when their specific applicant category is eligible for processing.
Further reading
Learn more about federal law at the United States Criminal Justice section.
More information
For official application procedures, visit the firearm rights restoration application portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by An Official Journal Of The NRA.
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