Federal law treats many felony convictions as a permanent bar to gun ownership, with almost no realistic way back. The Trump administration is moving to change that, aiming to revive a federal gun rights restoration process and turn it into a national program that could eventually manage up to a million applications a year.
The Gun Control Act (18 U.S.C. § 921 et seq.) makes it a crime for many people with felony convictions or certain misdemeanor domestic violence offenses to possess firearms. A seldom‑used provision in federal law technically lets the government review requests to restore firearm rights. In the 90s Congress cut off the money needed to run that process. In practice, this left most Americans with no real way to legally regain gun ownership after finishing their sentences.
That began to shift after recent Supreme Court Second Amendment cases, which spurred more challenges to lifetime gun bans for nonviolent offenses. In early 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Protecting Second Amendment Rights.” This order directed the Attorney General to review federal actions that might infringe Second Amendment rights and to recommend a plan that strengthens those rights while still taking public safety into account.
The 2025 executive order told the Attorney General to scrutinize agency rules, enforcement policies, litigation positions, and licensing practices that could burden gun ownership under federal law and state law. It highlighted firearms regulations issued from 2021 to 2025 and a policy called “Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement” (a Biden‑era ATF initiative that made it easier for the agency to revoke or deny gun‑dealer licenses for certain compliance violations, rather than relying on warnings or corrective action alone). Trump’s order also flagged the government’s positions in Second Amendment cases as part of a broader review of how federal agencies handle guns.
Soon after, the U.S. Department of Justice created a Second Amendment Enforcement Task Force. According to the Attorney General’s memorandum, the task force is meant to use litigation and policy to safeguard Second Amendment rights. It includes senior officials from the DOJ, the Office of the Solicitor General, the Civil Division, the Criminal Division, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF in particular plays a central role in implementing any new rules related to restoring gun rights, since it’s the principal law enforcement agency dealing with firearms.
In 2025, the DOJ issued a proposed rule to build a formal process for people barred from gun ownership under federal law to seek relief. The proposal would allow felons and other prohibited purchasers to apply to the Department for individualized review, including screening, waiting periods, and case‑by‑case eligibility decisions.
Under that framework, the DOJ anticipates up to one million applications annually once the system is fully operational. The agency plans to staff as many as 50 full‑time employees and create an online portal, charging a modest application fee. The new rule identifies presumptively disqualifying crimes, such as certain violent or sex offenses, and suggests a ten‑year waiting period after serious felony convictions and five years for other offenses.
This process is different from pardons or broader civil rights restoration.If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal allegation, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their DUI charge, and some times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a DUI should hire a qualified Seattle DUI Lawyer as soon as possible. DUI charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a DUI in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle DUI Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
