DOJ Opens a Real 925(c) Door — Restoration Is an Application, Not an Amnesty

Attorney General Todd Blanche finalized a federal regulation Monday, August 17, 2026 and launched an application process for people federally prohibited from possessing firearms to seek restoration of those rights. The Justice Department press release is explicit: restoration is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Each applicant must show that the circumstances of the prohibition, plus record, reputation, and later conduct, demonstrate they are not likely to act in a manner dangerous to public safety, and that relief would not be contrary to the public interest.

Blanche: “The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and the federal government should not permanently deprive Americans of a constitutional right without regard to whether they pose a danger to public safety.” The department said that absent extraordinary circumstances, violent felons, registered sex offenders, illegal aliens, and others who present an ongoing danger remain presumptively ineligible. Any grant removes only applicable federal firearms disabilities. Independent state restrictions stay in force.

Federal law has long authorized petitions under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). The Associated Press reported that since 1992 Congress has effectively barred ATF from processing those applications. DOJ’s rule aims to restore the individualized process Congress authorized. The rule takes effect 30 days after Federal Register publication. Applications go through justice.gov/ffrr.

The NRA told Fox News Digital it has long supported restoration for people who paid their debt and are not demonstrably dangerous, called the final rule “an important step in the right direction,” and said it still falls short of some of the group’s comments. Brady’s Kris Brown said the group is reviewing the rule and demanded a “robust and thoughtful system that minimizes the risk to public safety.” This is a portal and a presumption map — not a blanket wipe of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).