After more than three decades of silence, a long-overlooked section of federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 925(c), is finally being revived. Thanks to a new proposed rule by the Department of Justice, individuals previously barred from firearm ownership due to past felony convictions may soon have a legal pathway to reclaim their Second Amendment rights. The rule, submitted to the Federal Register on July 18, 2025, was announced by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and is now under public comment.
The Law That’s Been Dormant Since 1992
According to the statute, which can be found on Cornell Law School’s legal information site, § 925(c) allows the Attorney General to grant “relief from disabilities” to individuals who can prove they’re no longer a threat to public safety. But as William Kirk of Washington Gun Law pointed out, this federal process was quietly defunded in the early 1990s under the Clinton administration. Since then, the law technically existed but had no funding or functioning program behind it.
DOJ Press Release Announces Reboot
The Department of Justice’s official press release emphasizes that the revival of § 925(c) is about restoring fairness. “For too long, countless Americans with criminal histories have been permanently disenfranchised,” said Attorney General Bondi. “No longer.” The proposed rule doesn’t open the floodgates for all felons. It focuses on non-violent, long-reformed individuals while keeping prohibitions firmly in place for violent offenders, sex offenders, and illegal immigrants.
Who Might Benefit Under This Rule
William Kirk explained that many people affected by past convictions, such as minor drug felonies, non-violent fraud, or property crimes, have had no way to restore their rights federally, even if their state has cleared their record. The DOJ’s new plan offers hope to those individuals, especially ones who’ve gone years or decades without further legal trouble.
Limitations and Safeguards Are Still in Place
Not everyone will qualify. The rule lays out strict conditions, including a five-year waiting period for non-violent offenders and ten years for those with violent crimes. Applicants must also prove a clean record since their conviction, and include character references signed under penalty of perjury. As Curtis Hallstrom of VSO Gun Channel emphasized, “This isn’t a free pass. It’s a serious application process with teeth.”
How the Application Process Will Work
According to the DOJ’s proposed rule, the application fee will be just $20. Applicants will be required to submit three personal reference letters, a detailed history of their criminal record, any treatment or rehabilitation documents, and additional background evidence. The Attorney General will have full discretion to approve or deny each case based on whether granting relief is “not contrary to public interest.”
Why This Matters, Even if It’s Not You
“This may not affect you personally,” William Kirk said, “but it probably affects someone you know – a neighbor, a co-worker, a relative.” He emphasized that many people with old, non-violent records are now law-abiding citizens, some of whom have raised families, built businesses, and served their communities. “They deserve a chance to defend their families just like anyone else,” he added.
The VSO Gun Channel Pushes the Deeper Question
Curtis Hallstrom raised a philosophical point on the VSO Gun Channel, asking viewers to consider: “If you’re too dangerous to have a gun, why are you free in society at all?” He argued that the real issue is not gun ownership, but inconsistent criminal justice. “You’re either safe enough to live free or you’re not,” Hallstrom said. “We need to stop pretending that rights are privileges.”
Restoration Must Be Both State and Federal
William Kirk also explained a critical detail: federal restoration doesn’t override state law. If someone lost their gun rights in a specific state, they’ll still need to resolve their status there too. “You’ve got two hoops to jump through,” he said, “state and federal. This new rule only covers one of them.” That means a full restoration process can still be lengthy and complicated depending on the jurisdiction.
DOJ Welcomes Public Input – But Time Is Limited
The Department of Justice is encouraging public feedback on the proposed rule. In fact, the Federal Register notice includes questions about what types of offenses should warrant permanent bans and which should be eligible for relief. As Hallstrom noted, this is an opportunity for gun owners and advocates to influence the rule before it becomes final. “Don’t sit this one out,” he urged. “The opposition definitely won’t.”
This Could Be a Historic Moment for Gun Rights
All sources, from the DOJ’s official statement to Washington Gun Law and VSO Gun Channel, agree that this is a monumental shift. Kirk called it “one of the biggest advancements for the Second Amendment in modern history,” especially for a population that’s been politically invisible for decades. Restoring rights through 925(c) could help millions – literally – rejoin the lawful gun-owning public.
A Second Chance That’s Long Overdue
There’s something deeply American about redemption. If we believe in second chances, that should apply to all constitutional rights – including the right to bear arms. For someone who served their time, turned their life around, and lived responsibly for years, denying that right forever seems excessive. It’s not about being soft on crime – it’s about recognizing growth and rehabilitation. This new DOJ rule could finally align policy with those values.
Don’t Let This Get Buried
One thing worth noting: this program, though powerful, could be undone with the stroke of a pen by the next administration. That’s why it’s important for gun rights advocates to engage with the process. Comment on the rule. Support its implementation. And more importantly, spread the word. When people see that the system can work fairly, even for those with a past, it helps restore trust in justice, not just in gun policy.
A Law Resurrected with the Power to Change Lives
The resurrection of 18 U.S.C. § 925(c) represents more than just bureaucratic housekeeping. It marks a turning point in how the government views gun rights restoration. Backed by the DOJ, shaped by public input, and protected by constitutional principles, this proposed rule is the start of something potentially transformative. It won’t be easy. It won’t be perfect. But for many Americans, it might finally be possible.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa is our dedicated Second Amendment news writer and also focuses on homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Lisa aims to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.
