Federal Gun Rights Restoration Likely Restarting Soon Nationwide
My name is Ted Hasse. I’m a Muscogee Nation Creek tribal court attorney practicing in federal and tribal courts here in Oklahoma.
There’s been some recent news about Mel Gibson’s gun rights, and I want to briefly talk about what that story might mean for other people who’ve been convicted of felony crimes or domestic violence.
The Controversy Surrounding Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights
A March 2025 article from The New York Times reported that a Justice Department official said she was fired after opposing efforts to restore Mel Gibson’s gun rights. This caught my attention because it connects directly to a topic I’ve been covering — the possible revival of the federal process that allows people to restore their gun rights. This is the second in what I expect will be a four-part series about that issue.
Here’s the background: a lawyer at the Department of Justice, specifically the pardon attorney responsible for reviewing clemency and rights-restoration cases, was reportedly fired for refusing to recommend Mel Gibson as a candidate to have his gun rights restored.
Legal Restrictions on Gun Ownership
Under federal law, anyone who has been convicted of a felony — meaning any crime punishable by more than one year in prison — or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, in any jurisdiction (state, federal, or tribal), cannot legally own or possess a firearm.
Sometimes, individuals who are unsure about their eligibility will try to buy a gun and discover they’re prohibited only after failing a federal background check. This is reportedly what happened with Mel Gibson, who had previously pled guilty in California to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. Afterward, when he tried to purchase a firearm, his background check was denied.
Important Precautions for Domestic Violence Convictions
It’s important to note: if you have a domestic violence conviction, you should not attempt to purchase or apply for a firearm license. Doing so can expose you to new federal charges. I’ve seen defendants prosecuted for this mistake. If you’re unsure about your rights, you should contact an attorney before taking any action.
The Federal Rights Restoration Process and Its Revival
Now, the significant takeaway from this story — and what’s easy to miss beneath the headline — is that the Department of Justice appears to be reviewing cases for potential rights restoration. This process, authorized under Title 18, Section 925(c) of the U.S. Code, has been dormant since 1992, when Congress stopped funding it.
However, under the current administration in 2025, it looks like the DOJ is beginning to identify individuals who may qualify to have their rights restored. According to reports, officials were reviewing around 95 cases, with recommendations to restore rights in about nine of them, despite prior convictions.
The Significance of the Rights Restoration Effort
The New York Times story focused on the pardon attorney’s opposition to including Gibson among those candidates — reportedly because she opposed restoring gun rights for people with domestic violence convictions. But the broader and more important point is that the rights-restoration process itself seems to be coming back to life.
For now, the individuals being considered appear to be those who’ve already applied or advocated to have their rights restored — the so-called “squeaky wheels.” If the process becomes formalized again, they may be first in line.
Take Action: Low-Cost Consultation for Rights Restoration
If you or a loved one have lost your federal gun rights due to a criminal conviction and are interested in exploring restoration options, give us a call. We’d be happy to discuss what might be possible. You can reach us at 918-932-2800. Again, my name is Ted Hasse and I’m a Muscogee Nation Creek criminal defense attorney.
Leave a Reply