DOJ creating path for people with criminal convictions to own guns again

The Department of Justice announced a plan to restore gun rights to some former convicts. The announcement was noted in an interim final rule published on Wednesday, March 19.

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the DOJ will seek to create a new process for this restoration but specific criteria are yet to be defined.

Elizabeth G. Oyer, a former DOJ attorney, was fired after refusing to recommend that Mel Gibson’s gun rights be restored due to his domestic violence conviction.

Gun rights activists have long sought restoration for non-violent felons, emphasizing that disqualifications should be based on individual behavior.