Justice Department creates a new pathway to restore gun rights for some convicted of felonies
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department finalized a rule Monday that will pave the way for people who've been barred from owning firearms because of criminal convictions to apply to have their gun rights reinstated.
The Justice Department has finalized a rule to allow individuals with felony convictions to apply for restoration of their gun rights, according to a report by the Associated Press. This move, spearheaded by newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche, is seen as a win for Second Amendment advocates who have been pushing for nonviolent individuals with a criminal record to regain their constitutional right to own firearms.
Blanche emphasized that the Second Amendment is not a second-class right and urged the federal government not to permanently deny Americans their constitutional right, provided they do not pose a danger to public safety. The attorney general claims the new process will balance public safety with the opportunity for deserving Americans to restore their firearm rights.
The administration has previously taken steps to ease firearms restrictions, such as rolling back and modifying existing gun regulations. However, they recently decided against challenging a court ruling that struck down regulations on firearm suppressors and certain guns. The new rule aims to bypass the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' inability to process applications by establishing a new application system through an online portal.
Restoration of gun rights will be granted case by case, taking into account the person's record and reputation to determine if they likely pose a threat to public safety. Officials stated that individuals convicted of violent crimes, registered sex offenders, undocumented immigrants, and others deemed a danger to society will be denied restoration, barring extraordinary circumstances.
Brady, an organization advocating for stronger gun laws, has reviewed the new rule but expressed concerns about the need for a rigorous and thoughtful system that minimizes the risk to public safety. They criticized the Trump administration for consistently restoring gun rights to convicted domestic abusers and violent individuals involved in the January 6 insurrection, in addition to their efforts to roll back policies proven to prevent crime and gun violence.
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