DOJ announced a final Federal Firearm Rights Restoration rule on August 17, 2026 to implement 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). DOJ’s published rollout uses an invited-applicant phase beginning September 25, 2026 and a first public application window beginning November 4, 2026.
What changed with DOJ gun rights restoration?
For decades, practical federal relief under § 925(c) was largely unavailable through the traditional ATF process because of appropriations restrictions. DOJ’s 2026 program creates an active application framework administered through the Department of Justice.
DOJ felon gun rights applications are not automatic
The existence of a program does not mean every felony is eligible or that rights are restored merely by applying. DOJ evaluates whether granting relief would be consistent with the public interest and whether the applicant is likely to act safely and lawfully, under the governing statute and rule.
Federal gun rights restoration and state law
A federal restoration decision addresses federal disability. An applicant may still have an independent state prohibition, licensing disqualification, court order, or supervision condition that must be resolved separately.
Use current DOJ instructions
Application windows, forms, required records, fees, and review criteria can change. Gun Felony links directly to the DOJ Federal Firearm Rights Restoration program and keeps the federal update page separate from state restoration pages.
Use the 50-state directory
Firearm eligibility is unusually dependent on jurisdiction. Review the individual page for every state and the District of Columbia for restoration rules, carry and acquisition policy comparisons, official code links, and state-specific keyword FAQs.
Read the major court cases
Current firearm law is changing through litigation. The 25-case library covers Bruen, Rahimi, Hemani, Wolford, recent § 922(g)(1) circuit cases, ACCA sentencing, purchaser licensing, sensitive places, magazine limits, ghost guns, age limits, and other decisions affecting the answer.