(Restore My Civil Rights evaluates eligibility and prepares clients for federal firearms rights restoration under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) once the DOJ rule is finalized. State-level rights restoration services are offered by our Arizona State Bar admitted attorney, Andrew Long, only for Arizona matters.)
Federal Firearms Rights Restoration Under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c): DOJ Proposed Rule Explained
For decades, individuals who lost their federal firearms rights after a felony conviction had virtually no meaningful way to restore those rights under federal law. This landscape may soon change.
In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice formally proposed new rules to reopen the federal firearms rights restoration process under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). The public comment period has now closed, and the Department is reviewing submissions prior to issuing a final rule.
If finalized as proposed, this would represent the most significant development in federal firearms rights restoration in more than 30 years.
What the Proposed DOJ Rule Would Do
Under the proposed rule, certain individuals subject to federal firearms disabilities would be able to apply directly to the Attorney General for relief under § 925(c).
Unlike the system that existed prior to the early 1990s, the proposed framework establishes defined eligibility standards, structured review criteria, and procedural safeguards. Importantly, the rule would allow applications without requiring a Presidential Pardon, which has historically been the only viable federal option.
The proposed rule may also create a federal pathway for individuals who live in states that do not provide a court-based mechanism to restore firearm rights under state law.
Who May Be Eligible for Federal Firearms Rights Restoration
Eligibility would not be automatic and would depend on the nature of the conviction and post-conviction conduct.
Under the proposed criteria, individuals with non-violent felony convictions may become eligible after 5 or 10 years of demonstrated law-abiding behavior, depending on the offense. Violent crimes, sex offenses, domestic violence convictions, and serious firearm-related offenses would be presumptively disqualifying.
Federal firearms rights restoration may be available to individuals who:
- Have a non-violent felony conviction
- Have completed all sentencing and supervision
- Have demonstrated years of law-abiding behavior
- Are not subject to current disqualifying prohibitions
Each application would be reviewed individually, with a focus on dangerousness, rehabilitation, and public safety.
Federal Firearms Rights Restoration vs. State Law
Relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) would apply only to federal firearms disabilities. It would not override state firearm prohibitions.
Depending on where a conviction occurred or where an individual currently resides, federal relief may or may not restore the ability to possess firearms under state law. Determining whether a federal application would actually accomplish a client’s objectives requires careful analysis of how federal and state law interact.
Important: Filing an application too early—or submitting an incomplete or poorly supported application—can result in denial and may negatively impact future eligibility.
How Restore My Civil Rights Can Help
Restore My Civil Rights focuses exclusively on civil and firearms rights restoration, with a particular emphasis on federal relief.
RMCR evaluates eligibility and prepares clients for federal firearms rights restoration under § 925(c) once the DOJ rule is finalized. We also analyze whether unresolved state-law barriers would prevent federal relief from having practical effect.
For matters requiring state-level court action, RMCR provides representation only in Arizona. For individuals outside Arizona, we do not perform state court filings but can assess whether state restrictions would limit the usefulness of federal relief.
If you were previously told that restoring your gun rights was impossible, that advice may no longer be accurate.
To find out whether you may qualify for federal firearms rights restoration, call (855) GUN-RIGHTS or click here to book a free consultation today.
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*Legal Services provided by Rising Phoenix Law Group under contract with Restore My Civil Rights.