"The restorations are part of a broader DOJ push to revive a program that's been dormant for more than three decades. It allows people with certain felony convictions—or even indictments—to regain their gun rights, as part of an effort to undo a "disability" and give back Second Amendment protections to people no longer seen as a threat to public safety."
"The DOJ's work on this program follows a landmark 2022 U.S. Supreme Court case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The ruling has led to a host of challenges to gun laws in the U.S.—including those that bar felons from owning firearms."
""For most recipients, these nonviolent offenses were their only crimes, and nearly all committed these crimes over 20 years ago, with at least four recipients having committed their crimes over 40 years ago," the department said in a statement."
The Department of Justice has revived a dormant program allowing people with certain felony convictions or indictments to regain federal gun rights. In the latest action, 22 individuals had their rights restored, most convicted of nonviolent offenses committed over 20 years ago. The program restarted in April with 10 recipients, including actor Mel Gibson. A notable exception is Republican Arizona State Senator Jake Hoffman, indicted in 2024 for fake elector activities and pardoned by President Trump in November. The DOJ justifies these restorations by arguing recipients are no longer threats to public safety. This effort follows the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which has prompted numerous challenges to gun restriction laws.
Read at www.npr.org
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