Story perspectives

Justice Department Finalizes Rule Allowing Gun-Rights Restoration Applications

8/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department finalized a rule on Monday that lets people barred from firearms due to criminal convictions apply for gun-rights restoration.
The rule creates an online portal bypassing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which Congress has barred from funding the process since 1992.
Restoration will be decided case-by-case, with violent felons, sex offenders, illegal immigrants and similar individuals denied absent extraordinary circumstances.

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Story summary

The Justice Department finalized a rule on Monday that lets people barred from firearms due to criminal convictions apply for gun-rights restoration.
The rule creates an online portal bypassing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which Congress has barred from funding the process since 1992.
Restoration will be decided case-by-case, with violent felons, sex offenders, illegal immigrants and similar individuals denied absent extraordinary circumstances.